Family and friends gathered in Anson Tuesday, to raise money for the 12-year-old boy who was shot in the head just over a week ago.
Family members said Zachary Fernandez is improving, but it will be a long road to recovery.
There's no doubt Zachary is well-loved.
"We love him, the whole city of Anson loves him," said Zachary's childhood friend, Israel de la Cruz.
The 12-year-old boy was shot in the head during an apparent drug deal gone wrong in North Abilene last Monday.
His little brother was also injured.
Now, the tight-knit community of Anson is coming together to help the boys in any way they can.
"He was just as innocent as he could be," said local businessman Doug Hatahoe. "He was the sweetest kid that ever went to this school, he was blue-eyed, just intelligent, and what happened to him is a disgrace."
Friends and family of Zachary held a bake sale at Lawrence Brother's in Anson on Tuesday, staying up all night making cakes, cookies and pies -- then standing in the hot sun all day to hold up their homemade signs.
"It just makes me want to cry, because I don't look at him like a friend, I look at him as a brother," said de la Cruz. "Because he was always there for me and I was always there for him."
Everything at the bake sale was for sale by donation only and people were not the least bit hesitant to give as much as they could to the little boy, as he struggles to survive.
"You don't want to see a little boy suffer, you know, the way he is." said Isabell Fernandez. "It really hurts my heart to see him this way."
Described as playful, strong and always smiling -- friends of Zach say they are happy to lend a hand, because it's something he would do for them, if the roles were reversed.
"Basically, when Zach gets well, he'll see what all his friends and family came together to do for him and he'll really like that," said Keke Dickens.
Whether it's with a bake sale, fundraisers or a prayer vigil, the community has one message for Zachary.
"Letting Zachary know we're praying for him and we're fighting with him every step of the way," Hernandez said.
More than $1,000 has been raised for the Fernandez family.
Most of it will go toward medical bills as Zachary recovers at Cook Children's Hospital in Ft. Worth.
The rest will help Zachary's little brother, who is currently in foster care, with school clothes and supplies.
Family members said Zachary Fernandez is improving, but it will be a long road to recovery.
There's no doubt Zachary is well-loved.
"We love him, the whole city of Anson loves him," said Zachary's childhood friend, Israel de la Cruz.
The 12-year-old boy was shot in the head during an apparent drug deal gone wrong in North Abilene last Monday.
His little brother was also injured.
Now, the tight-knit community of Anson is coming together to help the boys in any way they can.
"He was just as innocent as he could be," said local businessman Doug Hatahoe. "He was the sweetest kid that ever went to this school, he was blue-eyed, just intelligent, and what happened to him is a disgrace."
Friends and family of Zachary held a bake sale at Lawrence Brother's in Anson on Tuesday, staying up all night making cakes, cookies and pies -- then standing in the hot sun all day to hold up their homemade signs.
"It just makes me want to cry, because I don't look at him like a friend, I look at him as a brother," said de la Cruz. "Because he was always there for me and I was always there for him."
Everything at the bake sale was for sale by donation only and people were not the least bit hesitant to give as much as they could to the little boy, as he struggles to survive.
"You don't want to see a little boy suffer, you know, the way he is." said Isabell Fernandez. "It really hurts my heart to see him this way."
Described as playful, strong and always smiling -- friends of Zach say they are happy to lend a hand, because it's something he would do for them, if the roles were reversed.
"Basically, when Zach gets well, he'll see what all his friends and family came together to do for him and he'll really like that," said Keke Dickens.
Whether it's with a bake sale, fundraisers or a prayer vigil, the community has one message for Zachary.
"Letting Zachary know we're praying for him and we're fighting with him every step of the way," Hernandez said.
More than $1,000 has been raised for the Fernandez family.
Most of it will go toward medical bills as Zachary recovers at Cook Children's Hospital in Ft. Worth.
The rest will help Zachary's little brother, who is currently in foster care, with school clothes and supplies.
