This story has been updated. 

Teachers at Decatur’s College Heights Early Childhood Learning Center are rallying support for their colleague, Aziza Pinkney, whose daughter was born prematurely.

Sarah Garland, an early childhood specialist at Decatur’s College Heights Early Childhood learning center, said, “Ms. Pinkney has been a lead teacher in our one year old class for six years now. Last month she had her daughter, Violet, prematurely while five months pregnant. Violet was born weighing 10 ounces. Currently Violet is in the NICU at Northside where she will be for a few months. She is a fighter! Ms. Pinkney does not receive paid maternity leave and her husband is already working two jobs. We are rallying the community for support.”

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There will be a fundraiser to aid her cause.

“On March 29th from 5-10 p.m. we are hosting a dine out to help raise money for the family,” a press release says. “Local restaurants have generously committed to donating 10 percent of their sales. Please go out and eat, help out Ms. Z’s family, and support the local businesses.”

The following Decatur restaurants are participating:

– ​Brick Store Pub

– LEONs Full Service

– Corner Pub

– The Square Pub

– Makan

– Waffle House

– Calle Latina

– Parker’s on Ponce

– Farm Burger

– Cakes and Ale

– Davinci’s

– Marcos Pizza

– Universal Joint

– Steinbeck’s

– Oakhurst Market

– Pure Gas Station