Boy Raises Money in Memory of Friend

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By Kyle Midura

Story Published: Apr 21, 2011 at 7:14 PM MDT

Story Updated: Apr 22, 2011 at 12:54 PM MDT

BILLINGS - A Colstrip boy raises hundreds of dollars in the name of a young girl who lost her fight with a rare disease in early 2011.

KULR-8 first met Kenna Emmons nearly two years ago as she fought a rare disorder known as combined immune deficiency syndrome. She passed away February in her mother's arms.

"When you have kids, your worst fear is that someone will hurt them," said her mother Kimber Emmons, "when you lose a child, that fear of them being hurt instantly changes to 'Please don't let anyone forget my baby.'"

But, a 6'1" sixth-grader with an even bigger heart wouldn't let that happen. "I'm very sorry that she passed on," said Colton Hoppe.

Colton Hoppe read to Kenna and her Kindergarten classmates every day when he was in fourth grade at Broadus Elementary. He moved to Colstrip, but never forgot her.

In 2011, he raised $855 for St. Jude Children's Hospital in Kenna's name.

"I was pretty happy, because my original goal was $250, and I raised way more than that," he said, "I just think it's a really great cause, that's why I did it."

"Kenna was such an inspiration to him," said Colton's mother Janelle Loyning, "people really were awesome about giving him money especially when he said what he was doing it for."

Colton's classmates also went door-to-door, collecting thousands for St. Jude. "It means a lot, because that could help a lot of families," said Hoppe. He says he plans on raising more money in Kenna's name in 2012.

"(Colton's) always loved kids, he's the greatest big brother anyone could ask for," said Loyning.

Kimber Emmons says the out-pouring touched her heart, "to know that Kenna made a difference, the way that she lived made a difference."

"She's here, when the sun shines she's here, when the rain falls she's here," said Emmons.

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Lana said on Friday, Apr 22 at 2:22 PM

What you did was a wonderful thing, Colton; helping to keep Kenna's memory alive is meaningful beyond words to her family and everyone else whose lives she touched.

Jennifer said on Friday, Apr 22 at 12:35 PM

I have known Colton for years. He is such a loving boy with a heart of gold! We are proud of you Colton!

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