In May of 2022, a devastating tragedy shook the hearts of a family, a community, and eventually, the nation. Mark Collins—a devoted father, grandfather, and man of faith—along with his four grandsons, Waylon, Carson, Hudson, and Bryson, were senselessly taken in a violent act that no family should ever have to endure.
News of their loss spread quickly, accompanied by an overwhelming wave of sorrow, disbelief, and public mourning. For those who knew the Collins family, the pain was unimaginable. And yet, even amid the shock and grief, something profound began to emerge: a fierce, unshakable commitment to ensure their lives were never forgotten.
From that grief, the Collins Strong Foundation was born.
Honoring Five Lives Through Purpose
The Collins Strong Foundation was created not simply as a memorial, but as a mission—a way to transform unbearable heartbreak into enduring hope. At its core, the foundation is about more than remembrance. It is about love, faith, and action. It is about carrying forward the values that Mark and his grandsons lived by: kindness, humility, faith, generosity, and joy.
Each of the boys had their own spark—Waylon’s laughter, Carson’s determination, Hudson’s kindness, and Bryson’s contagious smile. Mark, their grandfather, was a spiritual anchor and a constant presence of love and encouragement in their lives. Together, they represented something sacred: family, faith, and legacy. The Foundation’s work now seeks to reflect those same values in every life it touches.
Turning Tragedy Into Impact
In the days following the tragedy, a question echoed across the community: “What can we do?” Out of that question came action.
The Foundation quickly took root in the community. Friends, extended family, and even strangers stepped up to offer support, share stories, and rally behind the mission. Events were organized. Scholarships were funded. Prayer vigils turned into public gatherings of strength. And as more people became involved, it was clear—this was no longer just about a family’s loss. It had become a movement.
Today, the Foundation’s initiatives include the Collins 8 Scholarship, created to help students who reflect the strength, faith, and spirit of the Collins boys. These scholarships are not just financial awards—they are gifts of encouragement, given to youth with hearts full of promise and potential. They’re reminders that even from pain, we can plant seeds that bloom with hope.
The Foundation also supports community programs, youth mentorship, acts of service, and events like Collins 8 Day, where people across the country come together to volunteer, give, and remember.
A Foundation Built on Faith
Faith was the cornerstone of the Collins family. It was in their home, their conversations, their decisions, and their dreams. That same faith continues to guide the Foundation’s work.
At a time when it would have been easy to retreat into despair, the family instead leaned into their belief that God’s light still shines in the darkest places. They trusted that love could rise from sorrow, and that the boys’ lives could still have a voice—one that would speak hope into others’ pain, and strength into others’ silence.
The Foundation often draws inspiration from Psalm 34:18:
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
That verse isn’t just printed on memorials—it is lived out every day by the work Collins Strong continues to do.
More Than Memory—A Living Legacy
To say the Collins family is remembered is an understatement. Their lives are active, beating hearts within the work of the Foundation. Whether it’s a student opening their first acceptance letter thanks to a scholarship, or a child learning about kindness through a local outreach program, the Collins family lives on in every single impact.
Their legacy is found in the service of volunteers, the support of donors, and the strength of a community that continues to rally around this cause. It is found in the tears of those who still grieve, and in the laughter of children benefiting from their memory. It is present in both the quiet moments of prayer and the loud moments of celebration on Collins 8 Day.
An Invitation to Join the Mission
The story of the Collins Strong Foundation is not just about loss. It’s about how we choose to respond to it. It’s about choosing love over hate, hope over despair, and action over silence.
You don’t have to have known Mark, Waylon, Carson, Hudson, or Bryson personally to be moved by their story. You don’t need to be local to make a difference. Whether you donate to a scholarship fund, volunteer for an event, share a kind word, or simply live with more love and intention—you are part of their legacy.
In a world that can sometimes feel overwhelming, the Collins Strong Foundation is a reminder that even in our greatest pain, there is still purpose. That the greatest honor we can give to those we’ve lost is to live better because of them.
Stay Connected. Stay Collins Strong.
If you’d like to learn more, support a scholarship, or take part in one of the Foundation’s upcoming initiatives, we invite you to explore our website, follow our social media pages, or reach out directly.
Their story doesn’t end here—and neither does the impact.
