Masked First Grader Receives $30,000 In Donations

A first grader who went viral for wearing a mask for his school portrait, claiming that it’s what his mom wanted him to do, has now raised over $30,000 toward his college fund.

Mason’s mother, Nicole Peoples, described the incident that made her son famous on her Facebook page, writing that she’s happy her son is listening to her, but should’ve been more clear.

“I’m so proud of him for sticking to his word but I should have been more clear about my rules on this day,” she captioned over a picture of her masked son Mason.

RELATED: ‘I Always Listen To My Mom’: First-Grader Refuses To Remove Mask For School Picture

Peoples subsequently set up a GoFundMe page after people reached out asking if they could reward her son with toys and treats. In turn, she asked people who want to help to donate financially to her son’s college fund, which hit the $30,000 mark late this week.

In further describing the hilarious incident via Facebook, Nicole said the exchange started with the photographer telling Mason to remove his mask for the photo.

In response, he told the photographer, “My mom said to keep it on all the time unless I’m eating and far away from everybody.”

Nicole said the photographer tried to reassure her son, telling him, “I’m sure it’s ok to take it off for your pictures.” But Mason refused: “No, my mom seriously told me to make sure to keep it on.”

When asked one more time if he’d remove the mask for just a few seconds, Mason stood his ground, saying, “No thank you, I always listen to my mom!”

To donate to Mason’s college fund, click here.