Local cafe gives back to New Brockton football player’s family

WICKSBURG, Alabama (WDHN) – Wicksburg resident and Geneva native Haleigh Mathis has owned and operated her own cafe, Ink Drinker’s Café, since December.

The mother of two, who is also expecting twins, said she was heartbroken when she heard the news about New Brockton student Semaj Wilkins’ case.

Wilkins died Tuesday after suffering a medical emergency during a football practice.

Coming from a small town similar to New Brockton, Mathis knew the impact Wilkins’ death would have on the community.

So she took it upon herself to help out.

On Wednesday, the cafe decided to donate all tips it received to Wilkins’ family.

Mathis says the cafe has already brought in over $100 in just two business days and hopes to generate much more for the family.

“We just gave the entire community a place where they could donate if they wanted to,” Mathis said.

Mathis says she is not collecting tips to provide free advertising, but rather she simply wants to help a grieving family.

As a mother of two children, Mathis believes that no mother should have to experience the feeling of losing a child.

“We see your pain. We feel for you and want you to know that you don’t have to go through this alone,” Mathis said. “No one can truly understand what you’re going through unless they’ve been through it themselves. That’s unimaginable to me.”

Mathis isn’t the only Wiregrass member helping Wilkins’ family.

The Cisco Bourbon and Cigar Club, where Wilkins’ mother, Regena Adams, currently works, also accepted donations to help the family.

New Brockton will also hold a vigil at the high school football stadium on Friday night.

Donations will also be accepted during the vigil, with the proceeds going directly to cover funeral costs and support the family.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports and streaming video, visit WDHN – wdhn.com.