We wrote in these pages a few weeks ago how heartwarming it was to see the citizens of Calvert County come out in support of a 12-year-old boy after his family was tragically taken from him. Frank Hayward III is the lone survivor of a murder-suicide that took the life of his mother, 2-year-old sister and father, Frank Hayward Jr., who, police say, killed his wife, Cynthia, daughter, Natalee, and then took his own life July 31.

Hayward III, who was released from the hospital last Friday where he was treated for burns and lacerations sustained in the ordeal, has heard of the numerous people and organizations in Calvert County who have been raising money to make his future a little easier. While the impact of losing both parents and his little sister will take a long time to go away, Hayward III is already trying to return to normal life. His uncle, Shane Hayward, told The Calvert Recorder, that “Frankie” has already visited the Dunkirk Volunteer Fire Department, the main responders to the incident in July, and rode in a fire truck. He attended last weekend’s preseason game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Washington Redskins. His uncle said Hayward III “feels like a celebrity” thanks to all the attention he has received.

While we certainly know that the hearts of those who are sponsoring and organizing the funding are in the right place, there really is only one way to ensure your dollars are going to where you want them to — to Frank Hayward III — and that is by going to SunTrust Bank and handing a check or cash to a teller for the account set up by the Calvert County State’s Attorney’s Office, which can only be accessed by one person, who was appointed by the state’s attorney’s office to ensure the account is secure — and who is to investigate any fraud regarding fundraisers in the child’s name.

We must state again, we know those who are raising funds to help Frank Hayward III continue on the road to recovery have the best of intentions. But, sadly, we also know that with any tragedy, a few see it as an opportunity for fraud. It is disheartening to know that people like that are around to make some good hearts question if their money is truly going to the cause they want. While we have not been made aware of any hucksters looking to exploit this tragedy, we do feel it cannot hurt to remind those with good intentions to make sure they are talking to the right people (SunTrust Bank, Calvert County Department of Social Services) and doing what is proper to help this young man.