ORLANDO, Fla. – This Sunday marked six years since the Pulse nightclub shooting. 

While the country remembers those who lost their lives that day, survivors and the families of victims gathered to pay their respects at the First United Methodist Church of Orlando.

Andrea and Shepherd Drayton made their way from South Carolina to be here for this day.

“Our mission is to educate,” explained Shepherd.

Their daughter Deonka was one of 49 victims who lost their lives on June 12 in 2016.

They remember her as someone who could light up any room she entered.

“So inspired by her because whoever came into her presence, she definitely tried to help them in any way or aspect that she could,” said Andrea.

Not a day goes by where they don’t honor their daughter's legacy. It’s why they created the 3D Initiative.

Their organization built on faith with a goal of helping young people navigate their way through life.

“We believe that our position is not a position of judgment. Our position is a position of meeting people where the needs are, and it’s exactly what Christ did,” Shepherd shared.

Joining the Draytons was a room full of people honoring their loved ones during an event hosted by the Contigo Fund, an organization launched in response to the Pulse shooting to offer support for LGBTQ+ LatinX communities.

Hundreds joined together to offer support for one another and to listen to speakers and to dance. There were even rooms to vent when the memories got too painful.

As for the Draytons, sharing their mission with people who understand what they’re going through was important for them. 

Remembering their daughter Deonka means doing work that represents her.

“That’s what she did. She was community, so it would be better for us to honor her with community service,” said Andrea.