Marcos legacy

Christy story at 6p

3 year-old clark county boy was hit and killed as he crossed the street while attending a u-k football game.

And while it's a difficult day for the family of marco shemwell... as they tell abc 36's christy bollinger... keeping their little boy's legacy alive helps them through it.

"it's been a rollercoaster these last two years."

Liz shemwell says the first year after losing her son was filled with staying busy... starting the marco shemwell foundation... giving back to the community that wrapped their arms around her and her family, during the most difficult time of their lives.

Covid has slowed things down for them the last several months.... but this week stops them in their tracks.

"i slept in maybe it was purposely trying to avoid starting the day."

Marco would be six now..

His birthday would've been last month.

And like the year before... the family is putting together birthday boxes for kids in the community.

"it's like a way for us to celebrate his birthday for others and for others to celebrate his birthday with us even though we can't celebrate with him."

Putting together the boxes with supplies to make a cake... and a birthday toy..

Is a community-wide effort.

Last year, hundreds showed up to the packing party..

And they were able to donate a thousand boxes to area schools to give to kids in need.

"it's important to continue his legacy and to not make it about us though as a family or him but to continue honoring him and helping people in his memory."

And they say it's what marco would've wanted.

Dad, ben shemwell, says batman was his favorite superhero because of how much he helped people.

"it says a lot about who he was and the kind of heart he has but also about our mission and why we're so focused on helping people."

They're collecting donations until the end of the month..

By amazon wishlist or monetarily ..

Due to covid.

They also have a donation drop off box at the winchester kroger.

The packing party will be a lot smaller this year... but they're hoping to make 2,000 birthday boxes for the school year.

Christy bollinger, abc 36 news.

The man accused in shemwell's death...a abc 36 news.

The man accused in shemwell's death...a c1 3 u-k student at the time...jacob heil...was supposed to go on trial in april for reckless homicide and driving under the influence....but that's been delayed because of coronavirus.