Girl Who Died before the 6th Grade Still Inspires Others with Her Message of 'Love Is Everywhere'
Twality Middle School is part of the Tigard-Tualatin School District in the Portland metropolitan area. Twality teacher Emily Dehn leads a student group called Twality Care Alliance, and she shared with KOIN 6, “We really wanted to find a way to keep her spirit in our group.”
Holly’s Friends Wanted to Remember Holly
The awesome kids of Twality Care Alliance raised $1,000 in 2024 and donated those funds to Candlelighters, an organization that helped and supported Holly’s family as she battled cancer. Holly’s mom, Heidi Bruno, was there when the group presented their donation to Candlelighters. She greeted the group, recognizing a few familiar faces, and said, “I think this whole group started because some of Holly’s friends wanted to remember Holly.”
Sarina Farhangi, a member of Twality Care Alliance, explained that the group raised the money for Candlelighters primarily by doing photo booths at school dances, during lunches, and on holidays like Valentine’s Day and Halloween. She enthusiastically shared that they are also doing winter crafts, which is an activity that they did the previous year as well.
TMS student Kennedy Keim shared, “We have this shared sense of pride for the accomplishment we made with raising all this money for such an incredible organization.”
The Student’s Donation Makes a Big Difference
A representative from Candlelighters assured the students that their donation is a tremendous help. Candlelighters helps about 350 families every year, and each of those families, like the Bruno family, has a child fighting cancer.
While her loss is incredible, Mrs. Bruno finds comfort in knowing that Holly’s life has impacted hundreds of people. Heidi shared, “Obviously, I wish she was here, but this is a way for her to live on through these kids.”
Miss Holly wrote the words “love is everywhere” on the whiteboard in her hospital room. Clearly, she expressed love throughout her struggles. What a courageous little girl she must have been! Years after her passing, her love and legacy are experienced by those she personally knew, by the kids who grow and gain compassion while raising money for groups like Candlelighters, and by those families that will be touched by TCA’s most recent donation.
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Colossians 3:12
WATCH: Girl Who Died before the 6th Grade Still Inspires Others with Her Message of “Love Is Enough”
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Photo Credit: ©YouTube/KOIN 6
Originally published February 13, 2025.
