PEACHTREE CITY, GA (CBS ATLANTA) -
A little over two weeks after her husband was struck and killed by lightning, Yolanda Smith Hayes is facing challenges trying to provide for her young children.
Burnette Hayes, 52, was fishing with his friend Raheem Mustafa when both men were struck by lightning on July 13.
Hayes leaves behind nine children. Three of them are under the age of 15.
"Financially, it's been a mess," said Yolanda Smith Hayes. "Trying to pay the bills. School is coming. They have no school supplies. I have no money for school clothes."
Even in her struggles, Yolanda Smith Hayes is worried about the family of Mustafa.
The 55-year-old father of two young children was also hit by lightning that day. He was treated and released from the hospital, but has not been able to work.
"We're two families. We lived pretty good. And now it seems as though, you know, we're down to nothing. My husband is gone. It's like Raheem is gone too, but he's here."
A college fund has been set up for the Hayes children at Wells Fargo Bank.
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