A Green Bay family is trying to find something positive in the tragic death of their son.
John M. Kennedy was killed in a hit-and-run crash on Velp Avenue in Green Bay in January.
His family now hopes their efforts will help other victims' families.
He would have turned 21 on Friday. His family had big plans to help him celebrate. Instead, they'll be honoring him in a much different way, making a donation to CrimeStoppers.
"I guess they were instrumental in helping find the person who hit John," his mom, Colleen Kennedy, said.
A pick-up truck hit Kennedy when snow piled high on sidewalks forced him to maneuver his wheelchair on the street.
The day after the fatal crash, a plea went out through CrimeStoppers to find the driver.
"He never would have been found. He'd already fixed his truck, removed the cab, altered the looks of it. Without the Crimestoppers tip, the gentleman would never have been prosecuted. So we thank them," John's dad, Jeff Kennedy, said.
To show their thanks, the Kennedys are raising money for CrimeStoppers through the John M. Kennedy Memorial Fund, hoping it will keep the strictly volunteer organization help other families.
"I guess what we want to do is some more positive things. We want to make sure this doesn't happen to anyone else," Colleen said.
They started raising money a few weeks ago, after a jury found the driver guilty in Kennedy's death.
Colleen and Jeff say the first birthday without their son will be hard but believe they're doing what he would want.
"I think he'd be very happy. He was always giving," his mom remembered.
Donations to the memorial fund can be mailed to:
JOHN M. KENNEDY MEMORIAL FUND
c/o 3457 Wiggins Way
Green Bay, WI 54311
The family plans to make a first donation to CrimeStoppers this Friday -- John's birthday.
Anyone who donates $25 or more will be entered in a drawing to win two tickets to the Packers vs. Bears game at Lambeau Field on Christmas Day. Tickets will be delivered on December 23rd.
