Some of our young people will tell you, they're a lot more aware and a little more compassionate than they get credit for.

Well, we're reminded of that when we see what some Shalimar Middle School students did when one of their peers was critically injured.

Band playing.

One of the members of the Meigs Middle School Band is noticeably absent. Dakota Abernathy suffered a traumatic brain injury at a local carnival. He was rushed to Sacred Heart Hospital in a coma. Some fellow band members who witnessed the accident knew they had to do something.

Kelsey Bard, Helping Dakota; At like six o'clock at night, I decided to do it and then I called all my friends and they came to my house at seven on Sunday night, which is like amazing that they would do that.

The friends bought yarn in the school colors of gold, black and white and braided thousands of bracelets to sell to classmates. More than they get credit for sometimes, these young people are keenly aware of life's realities.

Nicole Beck, Helping Dakota; We do know what's going on. And we're not ignorant to what's happening in the world. We knew that his mother was single, so we weren't sure that she would be able to do it on her own.

Matthew Yaw, Playing for Dakota; After two days of just being in denial about it, and hearing about the armbands, I figured I just had to do something.

Matthew Yaw and his friends took their campaign for Dakota on the road; playing for donations in front of a grocery store.

Matthew; Kristin Walker, she played violin.

Tonya Pendell, she played the flute and my friend Michael, he didn't play, he was just out from day one holding the sign.

Wayland Abernathy, III, Dakota's Uncle; To be honest with you, my family is absolutely amazed. I know it's tough for 14 and 15 year olds to give away their money and their time.

Dakota has a very long road to recovery ahead. He's been moved to an Atlanta Hospital for rehabilitation but the thoughts, prayers and financial support of his friends will follow him and a grateful family.

Wayland Abernathy, Jr., Dakota's Grandfather; They really made me feel good about the young generation. It really justifies a lot of faith in them kids; they did this basically all on their own.Meigs Middle School Students Step Forward To Help Family