Grieving mother honors late son with holiday donation drive for homeless

POWDER SPRINGS, Ga. - A grieving mother in Cobb County is channeling her pain into a mission of hope this holiday season by organizing a donation drive to help the homeless, honoring her son who was lost to gun violence earlier this year.

"It’s not easy for myself, my family and I," said Margalie Cherenfant, reflecting on the loss of her 19-year-old son, Fabrice "Mathew" Robelin. "It’s been the worst seven months. You know, it’s like we just take it one day at a time."

Robelin was killed during a confrontation that police say began as a social media dispute. Powder Springs Police reported that a physical fight between teenagers escalated when someone pulled out a semi-automatic weapon, which discharged and struck Robelin.

"Dec. 31 would make him 20 years old, and it’s not easy," Cherenfant said, her voice heavy with emotion.

With her son’s birthday approaching, Cherenfant decided to honor his memory by focusing on the values he held dear.

"My son, at an early age, I instilled in them to really appreciate the community, to give back to the less fortunate," she explained.

The family has a history of volunteering with local outreach organizations that serve the homeless. Cherenfant recalled fond memories of visiting shelters and distributing meals under bridges in Atlanta, often with Robelin by her side.

"We would go to Atlanta under bridges, and we would go to different shelters to feed the homeless, pray with them, love them. And my son used to enjoy doing that," she said.

Robelin’s commitment to helping others was unwavering. Just weeks before his death, he expressed a desire to resume volunteering.

"Mathew is the type of person, if I were to be driving with him, if he saw a homeless person on the side, he would say, ‘Mommy, stop.’ Whatever money he had, he would want to share. He had a heart for the homeless," Cherenfant said.

In his honor, Cherenfant, with the support of family and friends, is collecting monetary donations to purchase toiletries such as soap and deodorant for those in need. The items will be delivered to a local homeless shelter on December 31, which would have been Robelin’s 20th birthday.

"That’s something I must do on behalf of Mathew," she said. "I know he’s gone, but many lives are going to be touched by what I’m doing on his behalf."

Cherenfant hopes her efforts will not only keep her son’s memory alive but also inspire others to give back to their communities during the holiday season. She plans to make the fundraiser an annual event and will expand the effort by accepting donations from the public next year.