Gerrard Kaonga
An 11-year-old's heart-warming deed helped raise a huge amount of money for his mother’s funeral in a short period of time.
Losing a parent can be a difficult for a variety of reasons but one thing many families end up worrying about is if they will be able to afford to give their loved one the proper send off.
Well, one child, who was in this tragic situation, decided to get outside and ask for help from his community.
Shannon Mount, 45, suffered a cardiac arrest at her home on July 8. She was put on life support and sadly passed away over a week later on July 16.
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After her death, her son, 11-year-old Kayden Ely decided to ask for help from the people of the small town of Lindale, Georgia.
While standing by a railroad track, he held a sign that read: “Please help bury my mama.”
Kayden’s cousin and now legal guardian, Jennifer Fife, also set up a GoFundMe page to help raise some funds.
In just over a week, the goal of $7,100 to pay for funeral costs has been exceeded and, at the time of writing, more than $71,000 has been raised.
Comments on Kayden’s mother’s obituary also expressed how heartbroken they were to see the child by the railroad with the sign.
“I didn't know Shannon, never had the pleasure of meeting her, but I saw the story of her precious little boy holding a sign by the tracks to raise money for his mommas funeral and it broke my heart,” one person wrote.
Another added: “I didn't know Shannon but reading about her son standing by the railroad tracks with a sign for help to bury his mom really touched my heart and made me cry my prayers and condolences go out to her kids, boyfriend and family.”
Someone else commented: “I didn't know this beautiful lady, but I ran across her son holding a sign asking for help to bury his Mother, that broke my heart into a million pieces, my deepest condolences."
Initially the statement on the GoFundMe read: "Shannon did not have life insurance, she has an 11 year old that is left without the only thing he ever knew.
"He has been standing on side of the road for 2 days with a sign to help bury his mama. Please if yall can help."
The fundraising page also praised Kayden, adding: “Kayden had a mission and he went on it full force.”
Fife later explained in an update that the extra money will go towards any and everything Kayden will need growing up with as well ensure experiences children his age usually have like sports and camps.
If you wish to donate to the fundraiser, you can do so here.