School kids collect loose change to help classmate

A picture of Zachary Bode is displayed in the first-grade classroom at Cornerstone School in Ocala.  Even though the seven-year-old boy is not physically in class every day, teacher Jenni Hager makes sure the kids still know him.  "They have the biggest hearts," she said.

Zachary's life changed in August when a car hit the vehicle his babysitter was driving, causing traumatic brain injury.  The boy's mother, Kamin Bode, had just relocated the family from Michigan to start work at the Ocala Police Department when the tragic accident happened.  

The children at his school stepped up in a big way, to help their classmate.  "The kids have been collecting loose change for the last three or four weeks to set it up for Zachary," said family friend Renni Campo.  All the money will go toward his medical care.  The family has medical insurance, but his needs have exceeded that. 

So far,  Zachary is beating the odds.  He has a long road of recovery ahead of him, but you get the feeling that, with friends like these, the road will be a little easier.  "He's part of our community, and we take care of our community," Hager added.

A Go Fund Me account has been set up for Zachary here:  https://www.Gofundme.Com/kaminzacharybode.