When tragedy strikes one of our communities, East Texans stand together.

Last Friday, an Athens ISD school bus collided with a Union Pacific train and claimed the life of 13-year-old Christopher Bonilla and injured 9-year-old Joselyne Torres. Today, East Texas school districts and citizens alike stood in unity with the city of Athens, who is still heartbroken after the tragic accident, by wearing maroon--Athens' school color--and Hornet spirit shirts, the school mascot.

KLTV reports that "groups of people lined up outside Athens Screen Printing on Sunday to purchase maroon and Hornet spirit shirts, all to support Athens Independent School District."

In addition, Van Independent School District has announced "Maroon Out Tuesday," encouraging students to wear maroon tomorrow to show love to the heartbroken Athens ISD community.

The Athens ISD Facebook page has announced "a benefit account has been set up at First State Bank for the Bonilla & Torres children. Deposits can be made at the following locations: Athens downtown, Tyler Street, Malakoff, Mabank, Gun Barrel City and Corsicana."

We are thinking of the Bonilla and Torres families, as well as the entire community of Athens.

More From KKTX FM