GoFundMe Started To Pay For Funeral of Teen Who Drowned in Des Plaines River

OAK PARK, IL — "Cameron Sanders was a bright young man with a promising life ahead of him. On Saturday, May 13th, Cameron's life was tragically cut short in the Des Plaines River." Thus begins the introduction to a GoFundMe page that is actively raising funds to cover the funeral of Sanders, 16, whose body was found in the Des Plaines River Thursday. He had jumped in with his friends on May 13 and was missing for five days after a lengthy search by the Cook County Sheriff's Office and local community members.

The fundraiser was launched by Anthony Clark, the same man who organized a volunteer search Monday after initial efforts had been called off. Clark, a high school teacher and community organizer, has been in close contact with the family of Cameron Sanders throughout the search and in the aftermath. In the GoFundMe dedication, he writes, "Just as the community stepped up to assist Cameron's family in search efforts, we are asking that the community continues to step up as Cameron's loving family continues to need support. "

As of Sunday, $1,015 had been raised toward the Cameron Sanders GoFundMe page's $10,000 goal to fund funeral expenses so Sanders can be properly laid to rest.

The fundraiser message goes on to say, "Cameron's family truly appreciates all the love and compassion that has been shown throughout this tragic ordeal. As a community let's continue to display what love and compassion for our neighbors truly looks like."

• Villa Park Teen's Body Found In Des Plaines River After Days-Long Search: Sheriff's Office

>>Image via GoFundMe for Cameron Sanders