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Benefit held in honor of slain 7-year-old

CANTON, Ga.,None — A community gathered together Sunday night for a benefit concert for the family of murdered 7-year-old Jorelys Rivera.

Performers lined up to take the stage at Canton Heritage Park to raise money for the family's memorial fund.

In all, organizers said they raised around $1,500.

"I know the mom is expected to go back to Puerto Rico and live so hopefully that will give her a start." Katrina Moore from K-Rock Entertainment Company said.

The idea behind the benefit concert came from Jacques Johnson, a 15-year-old Canton resident and rapper who said Jorelys' murder hit home with him.

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"My mother has already lost a child so we just already knew what the mother was going through... we just felt the need," Johnson said.

He's not the only one who feels it. Shania Jones, 7, is the same age as Jorelys. She said she was touched so much that she wrote a special song in her honor.

"I wanted to show everybody what I can do I wanted to support her because right now she's in the right place," Shania said.

Dozens of supporters like Joshua Williams turned out for the show donating cash for the family and toys for local children in need.

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"The family just needs the support. That's what I'm here for," Williams said.

Johnson and organizers said the benefit was a success and a good step in restoring the community's peace of mind.

"All the kids hearing this story are scared. We just want them to feel like they're safe and have fun," Johnson said.

"It's sad it took something like this to give back but, we did what we had to do," Moore said.