Support from the community has sprung up for the family and memory of a Summit sophomore who died Sunday night in Spring Hill.
Max Hollis, 15, died from injuries suffered when he and another teen fell off of a car on Dryden Drive. In the short time since, members of the community started a GoFundMe account for his family, while the Parent Teacher Student Organization for Summit High School and the school’s principal expressed support and sympathy.
Also a meal train account has been set up to provide food for the Hollis family. It was set up by a Allison Hill, who wrote:
“For the first week, there will be extra family in town, so meals will need to feed 5-6 people. After that time, meals for 3 will be plenty. To give the Hollis’s some privacy during this time, we will have a cooler sitting on the porch for you to deliver your meal. If you need to deliver at a time other than between 5-5:30, please let me know (text 615-975-3007)”
Just four hours into its existence, the Go Fund Me account had already reached over $15,000 of its $20,000 goal.
“As family, friends, and a community, we all express our sadness for the loss of Max Hollis at the young age of 15,” it reads. “Max was a child of God, a witness, an amazing son, a wonderful big brother, a successful athlete; his loss has devastated the community of Spring Hill.”
“With this loss comes the necessity of arranging and paying for a memorial amongst other expenses. Let’s come together and help lift some of the burden off this family. Please donate as you are led and post a message of support to Karrie, Dave, Sydney, the extended family and to each other.”
The PTSO released a statement of support. It also created a drop box in the front office of Summit High School for cards and gift cards.
“Spartan Families – as many of you may know early this morning we lost one of our Spartans, Max Hollis. Max was a sophomore, football player, brother, friend and son and will be missed by many,” PTSO President Gina Fancher wrote on Facebook. “Our spartan family has always been a strong community and it is in times like these that we lean on each other. I ask that you continue to keep the Hollis family in your thoughts and prayers. For our students SHS will have counselors at school tomorrow for students to speak to throughout the day.”
The PTSO also linked to the GoFundMe page.
Likewise, Summit principal Sarah Lamb released a statement of support Monday.
“We cannot begin to express the grief our school community is feeling with the loss of Max Hollis,” she said. “Max was full of laughter and love for his family, friends and Summit High School. He was a member of the Spartan football program who worked hard on and off the field and proudly represented his family, team and school.”
“Max’s family has strong connections in our community, and we want to rally around them during this time of need. The Spartan family’s closeness and strength will guide us through our overwhelming grief. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Hollis family. We will have extra counselors at Summit and Spring Station (Tuesday) for any student or staff who needs support during this time.”
The Hollis’ are in the thoughts and prayers of the Williamson Source team.
