A week ago, 11-year-old Kayden Ely faced the unimaginable heartbreak of losing his mother, Shannon Mount. Her sudden passing not only left Kayden and his four siblings without their mom, but also plunged the family into severe financial hardship.

In a desperate effort to raise money for his mother’s funeral, Kayden took to the streets of his small Georgia town, holding a sign that read, “Please help me bury my mama!” For two days, the grieving boy stood by the railroad tracks, hoping someone would notice and assist. Shannon, 45, had suffered cardiac arrest on July 8. Her boyfriend, Billy Upton, performed CPR until paramedics arrived and revived her, but after several days on life support, she passed away.

Little boy holding a heartbreaking sign.

With no life insurance and mounting medical bills, Kayden found himself without time to grieve, determined instead to give his mother a proper farewell. Armed with his homemade sign, he spent hours by the roadside, praying for help from passing motorists.

The local community quickly rallied around Kayden. Strangers offered donations, hugs, and prayers. His story was shared on social media and local news outlets, inspiring more people to help. Residents even joined him in setting up a hotdog stand to raise more money. Generosity extended further, with an anonymous donor offering to pay for a burial plot, local businesses collecting spare change, and the Good Shepherd funeral home providing a discount.

Kayden Ely gives away free hot dogs and drinks.

Moved by Kayden’s determination, his cousin and guardian, Jennifer Grissom, launched a GoFundMe page with a goal of $7,100 to cover the funeral expenses. What followed was a flood of support—donations soon surpassed $70,000, with more than 1,700 people contributing, all motivated by the thought that “no child should have to worry about paying for a funeral.”

Jennifer plans to use the extra funds to help Kayden enjoy experiences that children his age should have, like sports and camps, as well as buying clothes, school supplies, and starting a college fund. In an update, she shared a touching moment from a recent trip to Walmart, where Kayden joyfully picked out a bed set and essentials. When asked why he was so happy, he replied, “Me and mama didn’t have much money, we were poor, and I didn’t get to buy stuff like this.”

Most importantly, Kayden’s wish is coming true—his mother, described in her obituary as a “straight shooter” who fiercely loved her children, will be laid to rest with dignity. To show his gratitude, Kayden set up another hotdog stand, but this time he gave away food and drinks for free, as a gesture of thanks to his community. He also appeared in a Facebook video with Jennifer, expressing his appreciation for everyone’s support.

Beyond financial contributions, the emotional support from the community has been invaluable. Jennifer shared how many people stopped to give Kayden a hug, pray with him, or simply offer their condolences. Some even helped with the hotdog stand or held signs, demonstrating how much Kayden’s story touched their hearts.

Grieving at such a young age can be isolating, but thanks to his supportive community, Kayden is reminded that he’s not alone in his pain. Though his loss is immense, the love and compassion surrounding him will help ease his burden.