Community raises money to cover expenses of mother and son killed in Desoto crash

A community came together to help cover the expenses of the mother and son that were killed in the Desoto crash on September 2.

The mother, Kaylee Hampton, and her son Cail were killed. Her husband, James, and other son were injured and still recovering in the hospital.

The Arcadia community showed up in a tractor supply parking lot to support a mother and son who passed away one week ago.

Now, James’ brother Nathan is using his mobile barbeque business to support his brother and nephews and raise money for funeral costs and medical bills.

“We are overwhelmed and so grateful for our communities for coming out and helping us in such a tragic time. This event is to help both families, the Griffin family and the Hampton family. So right now we have already done sold 200 slabs of ribs, with dinners and all that six cases of chicken,” Nathan said.

The line wrapped around the parking lot in the Southwest Florida heat. Teachers, parents, paramedics, and friends honored the mother and son.

Ray, a family friend said, “she helped a lot out in the community. She did. She would help a lot of people out if they really needed something. She would literally give her shoes to you. I mean, that’s the kind of person she was. I mean, she’s done a lot for the community.”

Family friend Jorgia Sutton used to work with Kaylee.

“People are showing out to support the Hampton-Griffin family today because of the accident that happened last Friday. And well, Kaylee was just kind of a staple of the community, anybody had any kind of tragedy, and she was the first one to step up to take collections to line up fundraisers. And so that’s pretty much what we’re doing out here today is showing out for Kaylee and Cail,” Sutton said.

The line continued to grow from morning through the afternoon. People were here regardless of whether they knew Kaylee and Cail because of the impact they left.

“We’re just overwhelmed about the support and all that Kaylee was loved. Her son Cail was love. My brother was love. James Hampton was loved. We were all loved. They were all community folk. And this is what we do. You know, anytime there’s some type of an event or tragedy, we all come together as you can see, you want to get these people out here. You can see the outpouring of our community. You can see the outpouring of people just coming together,” Nathan said.

“It just pains me to see the loss. I mean, it really is gonna leave a hole in Arcadia because, like I said, she always stepped up for people. And that means so much to people that are so in such a small, tight-knit community, and the thought of the loss of her son Cail. I used to watch him a little bit when he was younger, and it just breaks my heart the loss of it, you know, and so anything I can do as a mother to help bring peace to that family. I would like to do that,” Sutton said.

All the money collected will help cover the family’s funeral costs and medical bills.

There will be another event held at the Elks in Arcadia next week to celebrate Kaylee and Cail’s lives.