How To Help Support 'Beloved' Local Family After Boy's Death

CARY, IL — The neighbors of a family grieving the loss of a 3-year-old boy who was hit and killed by a school bus last month have been spreading the word about a fundraiser meant to benefit the family of seven. So far, that fundraiser has brought in more than $8,000 for the Cary family of Samuel Huddleston.

Kathy Pierce, who lives in the Hilltop neighborhood in Cary, said the best way to continue to help and support the family of seven is to donate to a GoFundMe set up for them. The funds will be used to help the family's five surviving children "navigate through his tragedy" and ease other financial burdens the family has taken on.

The family, Pierce said, was beloved by everyone in their neighborhood.

"Our neighborhood is a small, close-knit community and we all watch out for each other. It’s like each family’s child is everyone’s child," she told Patch in an email response last week.

Huddleston, 3, died at about 3:40 p.m. on May 16 after a school bus hit him while he was riding on a toy in the area of Cherry and Hill streets. The bus driver, who works for District 47 and District 155, has been placed on paid administrative leave, and an investigation is underway into the cause of the collision.

As of Wednesday, more than $8,100 has been raised for the local family. Pierce said the last memory her husband had of Samuel was the day before the accident. He was out mowing the lawn and Samuel was taking a walk around the block with his family.

"Samuel was playing with a ball and started playing catch with my husband, throwing it back and forth to each other. Samuel’s bright smile and laughter from that last interaction truly personifies his personality, so happy and carefree," Pierce said.

Following his death, those closet to Samuel remembered his big smile and his love for nature, according to his obituary.

"With four older brothers and a younger sister, he could run and chase the big boys but take time to snuggle with his sister. Although the youngest brother, he was always helping and watching out for them, often keeping them out of trouble," according to his obituary.

• Boy Hit, Killed By Bus Had 'Biggest Smile'