Blake Mahoney

UPDATE: Fundraiser for family of Eastvalley ES student tops $50K

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Mahoney family

A fundraiser begun by an Eastvalley Elementary School teacher to help the family of one of her students who was tragically killed over the weekend has netted more than $50,000.

A GoFundMe drive created by Jennifer Swafford indicates that a little more than $51,000 of a goal of $55,000 has been pledged thus far to aid the Mahoney family of East Cobb.

Blake Mahoney, age 11 (in the bowtie), died Sunday after a car hit him and the bicycle he was riding near his home on Lucky Drive.

Since then, friends, co-workers, and those who know the family through Eastvalley—where Blake’s mother Dawn is the school nurse—have sent in contributions.

“The generosity of people near and far is mind blowing!,” said Swafford, Blake’s 5th grade teacher this year. “Thank you for your love and support for the Mahoney family!”

One donor who pledged $500 wrote that “I donated because he was my best friend in school and I miss him so much and let him rest in piece. It was good meeting you Blake in this short time God bless you and your family.”

Also contributing were those who know the Mahoneys through the East Marietta National Little League, where Blake played baseball.

On Wednesday a memorial sign was set up at the entrance of Sewell Park, with flowers being left behind.

“If your child learned something from Blake as his teammate we would love to hear about that as well,” the youth baseball organization said in a Facebook post. “The loss is immeasurable but so is the love left behind. Today let’s celebrate our love!”

 

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East Cobb boy, 11, killed after bicycle crashes into car

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Blake Mahoney, East Cobb boy killed
Photo: Blake Mahoney Memorial Fund GoFundMe page

An 11-year-old boy riding his bicycle in his East Cobb neighborhood died Sunday afternoon after crashing into a car, according to Cobb Police.

Cobb Police Sgt. Wayne Delk said in a statement Monday morning that the crash happened at 5:06 p.m. on Lucky Drive, off Lower Roswell Road and between Holt Road and Old Sewell Road.

Delk said David Mondecar, 65, a Lucky Drive resident, was driving a red 2005 Volvo XC90 and was approaching a sharp left curve on that street when the boy was making a sharp right curve as he rode from the other direction.

Police said the crash happened when the front of Mondecar’s car collided with the bike.

The boy was pronounced dead at 5:40 p.m. Sunday after being taken to Wellstar Kennestone Hospital, Delk said, adding that Mondecar was not injured.

Police did not identify the victim, but social media postings in the community were mourning Blake Mahoney, whose family lives on Lucky Drive. He played in the East Marietta National Little League and was a student at Eastvalley Elementary School, where his mother is the school nurse.

A fund has been started in the school community to provide food for the family.

A GoFundMe also has been established by Jennifer Swafford, Blake’s 5th grade teacher at Eastvalley. The Blake Mahoney Memorial Fund also will help the family.

Blake was to have begun attending East Cobb Middle School this fall. His older brother Will is a student at Wheeler High School.

Delk said Cobb Police are continuing to investigate the crash and anyone with information should call 770-499-3987.

East Cobb boy killed

 

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