Community rallies around boy whose mom was killed on his birthday

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — A community is rallying around a boy whose mother was killed on his birthday.

Channel 2's Tom Jones spoke to Kenneth Collier Jr., 10, about the tragedy. His emotions have been all over the place ever since he got the horrible news the morning of his birthday.

His father was with him when he spoke to Jones.

"I never thought I'd have to tell him his mom passed, especially on his birthday," Kenneth Collier Sr. said.

A local entertainment center has agreed to allow him and his friends to have a party there for free.

"It wasn't even a thought. It was how quickly can we get this done," said Nicole Hage with Main Event Entertainment.

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Main Event is paying for the party for the boy and 25 of his friends, as well as upgrading his experience.

"We want to make this the most special day," Hage said.

That's not the only help on the way. Hage reached out to others in the community and got Six Flags to donate season passes. She also got Toys 'R' Us, Party City, Chick-fil-A, Publix and others to help out.

He's also getting tickets to the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium to see his Falcons play one of his favorite players, Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton.

Kenneth Collier Jr. and his dad thank the community for opening their hearts.

"Thank you for donating these things and trying to help me have a good birthday," Collier Jr. said.

At Thursday night's Hawks game against the Detroit Pistons, there will be a surprise for Kenneth.

His teacher, Dana Roberts, helped put all of this in motion because she said no child should have to go the rest of their lives thinking about losing their mother in such a tragic way on their birthday.

Cox Media Group