Coming together to help the Ladet family
Angie meadows
Residents in DeKalb County may just be the most caring people in the world. When someone is in dire need of help due to a tragedy, people come together to help those involved. Whether it is a community prayer gathering or holding fundraisers, most residents will whole heartedly participate. This is the case with six young people who lost their mother a few weeks ago in a head-on crash.
A trip to visit family in California turned out to literally be life changing for a Smithville family a few weeks ago. Tori Haywood and her children, Malik age 22, Tyree age 20, Tre age 19 and 18 year-old triplets Tyjhai, Tysjon and Sierra were in a fatal car crash where Tori lost her life. Four of the children in the car with their mother also suffered serious injuries and were taken to hospitals for treatments.
Tori’s funeral was broadcasts on a social media platform last Friday, and you saw three of her children with casts and in wheelchairs and one in a medical chair wearing multiple braces after having had surgery.
The triplets will begin their senior year at DeKalb High School this year, where Tyzjon is a member of the Tiger football team. As one can imagine, this family is in need help. The oldest, Malik, started a gofundme account on Facebook where donations can be made to help toward their mother’s funeral expenses.
Saturday members of the community came together, along with Tysjon’s team members and cheerleaders to hold a benefit car wash and bake sale. Head Coach Steve Trapp and several parents also participated. Dominos provided pizza for the hard working bunch. At day’s end the group raised over $2,100 for the Ladet family.
A t-shirt sale is also underway. Shirts “In memory of Tori Haywood a beautiful soul, never forgotten” can be ordered by calling 615-684-2552. Sizes range from youth extra-large to plus size adult with prices of $15-$25 respectively.
An upcoming event is scheduled to raise more money for the family. This even will be held at the First Baptist Life Enrichment Center August 29 from 5-8 p.m. There will be a silent auction, benefit dinner of hamburgers, hotdogs and chips, along with a cake walk. Take out will be available.
If you feel a tug at the heart to help this family, it will be greatly appreciated. They will need all the help they can get, financially and mentally, for a very long time to come.
