Community rallies to help family that lost son

FRANKLIN, Wis. (CBS 58) -- When a Franklin High School student died in a tragic car crash in June, a community rallied around his family.

Now, they’re raising the money for a home improvement project that will change the family’s life.

Anthony Hales would’ve been a senior at Franklin this year. He and his dog, Mikkel, were killed in a crash north of Wisconsin Dells that injured two other students.

His mother, Kate Gray, has felt the love from her friends and neighbors, and she’s needed every bit of it as she adjusts to a new normal without her son.

“The random acts of kindness go above and beyond,” Gray said.

What might top it all though is the GoFundMe fundraiser to get her gravel driveway paved.

Anthony’s younger brother, Kavi, has a muscular disorder that keeps him in a wheelchair much of the time.

When it snows or floods, he can’t get to the school bus.

Christy Cool, a family friend, decided to start the fundraiser.

"If we can make Kate's life any easier, even if it's a small gesture like a driveway, I think that'll make a difference for the family."

It’s no small gesture. Gray says it’s overwhelming.

“I was really at a loss how to respond to her,” she said.

In two days, more than $7,000 had been raised.

"It gives me the chills, even now just talking about it,” Cool said. “It makes me so proud to be part of this community."

The goal is to have the driveway finished before winter.

"Every time I see [Christy] I say thank you, thank you , thank you,” Gray said. “We can't say thank you enough. It's not enough to say thank you. But thank you."

If you’d like to help, click here.