A Wake Forest country club has raised over $70,000 for the family of an employee’s toddler who accidentally drowned last week.
Wake County deputies were called to Hasentree Way in Wake Forest on Friday afternoon after a 3-year-old boy was found in a retention pond, officials said.
The toddler, identified by loved ones as Cooper Smith of Apex, was taken to the hospital, where he died the next day.
“On behalf of our office, I extend our condolences to the family during this difficult time,” Sheriff Willie Rowe said in a news release.
Days later, a Gofundme started by members of the advisory board of The Hasentree Club, where Cooper’s father works, has exceeded its $25,000 goal, collecting $73,225 as of Tuesday afternoon to cover funeral costs, medical bills and other expenses, the fundraiser states.
“Every donation, no matter the size, will go directly to the Smith family to help ease their burdens in the coming days and months,” wrote organizer Griffin Morrisey.
“Let’s show the Smith family that they are not alone during this time of grief,” Morrisey wrote.