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!”
Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!
Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up, and you’re good to go!
