EUSTIS, Fla. – A Lake County community continues to grieve after a 6-year-old boy died of rabies Sunday.
Now the community is raising money to help the boy's family.
Ryker Roque, 6, passed away Sunday after contracting rabies from an infected bat that scratched him at his home.
"Once we heard he passed away, we immediately jumped on things to make sure we had something for his family," said Connor Jenkins, with Christian Academy Preschool, where Ryker previously attended.
Christian Academy Preschool in Eustis took it upon itself to raise $1,000 for Ryker's family.
"He was very sweet," Jenkins said. "He was one of the sweetest boys we had here and nice to all the kids. All the kids liked to play with him."
Teachers and staff also created a book titled "To Pet or Not To Pet," to help teach preschoolers about rabies.
"If the kids know, they may remember it and tell their parents that as well," Jenkins said.
A lesson everyone can take away, just ask Ryker's parents.
"If I had this book, and if he read it, he would be alive today," mother Michelle Roque said. "It's so hard, it's unbearable."
Earlier in the day, the Roques completed their final round of rabies shots. But now, they're making it their mission to honor their son's life.
"I want to raise awareness," father Henry Roque said. "I can't imagine this happening to another family, another kid. It's just unbearable. The pain never leaves, it just gets worse."
Ryker's funeral is scheduled for next Saturday in Eustis.
A GoFundMe page has been created to help pay for Ryker's medical expenses.