Community Coming Together for Family Mourning Son

You could tell just by looking at him. Drew Bannister loved his long hair.

His mom, Robin Bannister, said that's why a hair cutting fundraiser is putting a smile on her face.

But it's the outpouring of support that's bringing a smile to her heart. She said, "It does, it does, having the community and our friends and our family and people we don't even know coming out to help us, in this horrible time."

The 28-year-old was killed last week in a car accident in Lake County, Florida. Monday's fundraiser is helping the Bannister family pay for his burial and to bring his body back to central Illinois.

The Hair House Owner Sarah DeVore said, "Together as a group, we decided we'd do a cut-a-thon, then add the bake sale, add the raffle and the stuff after that.

She said when she heard the news, she knew she had to help. "I've known them my whole life and they've always been so nice and they're kindness and generosity has been given back to them this week."

It's a week the Bannister family never thought they'd have to endure, but with many strangers who are sharing their support, Robin said it's something she'll be forever grateful for. She said, "The hairdressers that are here know of Drew and I didn't know that until we started connecting dots and they started connecting dots and it's just amazing."

A memorial fund in honor of Drew Bannister is open at South Side Bank in Chillicothe.