LaShaun Armstrong's heart-breaking story has made headlines all across the country this week. Our Christian Farrell tells it's a story that now has people digging into their pockets to help.

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Griffin wasn't the only one who shed tears this week for a local family torn apart by tragedy. Saturday, she stood along Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard with other city residents, seeking donations for LaShaun Armstrong, the 10-year-old boy this city refuses to let stand alone.

"We had the passion to be out here today because it's in our hearts to see if we could help by collecting some money from the generous citizens of the City of Newburgh," said Pauline Dillard of Newburgh.

Not far from this waterfront intersection is the boat ramp where LaShaun lost his family; his mother, two younger brothers, and an infant sister, all dying when the young boy's mother intentionally drove the family minivan into the Hudson River.

LaShaun was the only person who made it out alive.

"It has touched the hearts of everyone," said Mary Dillard.

Evidence of the tragedy's impact was demonstrated by a constant flow of traffic, to give.

"I talked to many friends this week and people in the community and everybody said we got to do something," said Pauline Dillard.

The group collected more than $1,400 for LaShaun Armstrong and his family. This is money they say is now on its way to officials at the First Baptist Church in Spring Valley, the site for Thursday's funeral services.