18-year-old posts photo with plea on Facebook to try to find his biological father

DURHAMVILLE, N.Y. -- An 18-year-old  New York man has posted a photo to his Facebook page of himself holding a sign asking others to help find his biological father.

Jette Collins, of Durhamville, N.Y., posted the photo and plea on Facebook on Wednesday.

The post reads:

"I am looking for a man by the name of Jason that lived in Syracuse, NY in 1996," the sign reads. "He went to the first K-Rockathon in 1996 and met a girl named Diana Collins. I am the product of that night. I am not asking for anything. Just would like to meet my biological father."

The first K-Rockathon concert was held at Vernon Downs near Verona, N.Y., on July 28, 1996. According to WPIX in New York, performers included '90s groups like Butthole Surfers, Poe, Reverend Horton Heat, The Refreshments and The Verve Pipe.

Nine months later, Jette Collins was born.

Collins said his mother met his father at the concert and all she knows is that his name is Jason and that he lived in Syracuse. Collins said his mother has always been honest about the story and supports him in finding his father.

"I don't want anything from him," Collins said in a phone interview with PIX11 News. "I just want us to have the opportunity to meet -- I want him to know he has a son."

Collins said he's been flooded with messages from people who possibly knew his father, but no real leads yet.

Collins is hopeful, though, and said after posting the plea, he was at a Chinese buffet and his fortune read, "luck is coming your way."

"I think that is a good sign," Collins said, who adds that he chose Facebook to conduct the search due to all the success stories of loved ones reuniting in recent years.

For now, Collins will continue to attend classes at Mohawk Valley Community College and work two jobs while hoping to hear news of his father.

"I don't know if this actually works but I'm going to try it, just hoping for the best and a little luck. Help a kid out," Collins wrote on Facebook.

On Friday night, Collins posted this to his Facebook page:

"Thank you all for you're support and all the help you guys have provided me with this is amazing and crazy. I couldn't have had even have this opportunity without any of you. Half of you want to be updated with what's going on. I have no leads or anything yet but it's still early. I still have faith and hope one of my dreams come true"