Centennial High School mom Shawnna Simpson watched the donations explode within the first hour after she set up a GoFundMe account for Jim Cheek’s family – one who is dealing with the loss of their senior son.
Within the first hour, half of the goal had already been raised. Less than 24 hours later, the community had donated $20,450 for the Cheek family.
“I was amazed,” Simpson said. “But at the same time, I was not amazed. Last year when we went through this, we reached the goal quickly and exceeded it for all three kids.
“This community it is amazing. I was surprised it went as fast as it did.”
This isn’t the first GoFundMe account Simpson has had to help coordinate for the Centennial community. Cougar Nation also lost three of its own last year in a car accident on Christmas Eve.
In the same light, Simpson and other parents didn’t want to see the Cheek family have to figure out the financial piece while dealing with the loss of their son.
“As we were talking about showing love and support, this was one of the things we knew we could do,” Simpson said. “Centennial is a special place. It is a family. I think the Cheeks are an amazing family, and they are entrenched in the community. It’s all of Franklin and their church family – everyone is mourning the loss with them. The GoFundMe is a result of so much love for this family.”
All funds will go directly into a bank account at Pinnacle Bank in the name of Ward Cheek. The funds will cover the expenses of the funeral, and expenses incurred with the accident.
Any money raised over the goal will go directly to the family.
Visit this link if you still want to contribute.
