“Kelly had a contagious and sweet laugh. Her laugh always made me smile. Kelly was an amazing soul.”
Those words summed up the emotions that many people were feeling during the candlelight vigil for Kelly Hume on the old Crown Point Courthouse lawn Sunday evening. They were spoken by Lyndsey Ingraham, Kelly Hume’s cousin and one of her best friends.
Macy Achtzehn echoed those thoughts.
“She was very kind,” Achtzehn said. “She had a lot of friends. I feel like no one ever disliked her.”
Achtzehn was one of Kelly Hume’s friends, and they attended elementary school together.
Kelly Hume was known by her loved ones for her fighting spirit, courage, spunk, and most of all, kindness. Hume was 13 when she died in a car accident on November 21, 2020. She attended Taft Middle School and loved playing volleyball, sketching, painting, and decorating treats and desserts.
Ingraham and a handful of others shared their love for Kelly Hume and her memories during the vigil. It was a time for those to remember her and bring about an awareness of Kelly’s Kindness, a nonprofit organization. Kelly Hume’s mom, Holly Hume, and her sister, Breanna Hume, also shared their memories of Kelly Hume.
Breanna Hume said the sisters were more than siblings. They were best friends. She said Kelly Hume's presence was enough to make Breanna Hume’s day when she was down.
“It’s really such an experience to be an older sibling and watch her grow up,” Breanna Hume said. “I loved being there for the milestones and just the little events in between. I, and probably many other people, feel robbed of other possible future experiences where we can have bonding and memorable moments. That’s probably one of the most painful things to come to terms with.”
Breanna Hume misses the TikToks she received from her sister and how Kelly Hume would borrow her clothes and not give them back. Breanna Hume said Kelly Hume had numerous aspirations and goals for the future.
“I want this to be a reminder to everyone that life is short and delicate, and it can be taken instantaneously. So next time you hug someone that you love, soak in the moment, squeeze them tight, and just embrace their love and appreciation because you know it might be the last,” Breanna Hume said.
The vigil included several memories about Kelly Hume through words and video. Even the small details of the vigil, such as the flavor of the hot chocolate, were made with Kelly Hume in mind. The hot chocolate flavor and toppings were chosen to reflect one of the last desserts that Kelly Hume created. It was for her mom’s birthday and had the flavor of cookies and cream.
Holly Hume said Kelly Hume was shy and quiet, except with those she was close to. Those who knew her saw her dedication to the sports she enjoyed, and she was a talented artist.
“Everything was a potential canvas to Kelly, and she knew how to turn it into something more beautiful,” Holly Hume said. “Kelly was too good for this world. She gave love unconditionally.”
Kelly’s Kindness, was created in honor of Kelly Hume's unconditional love and kindness. The nonprofit organization began with Holly Hume wanting to keep her daughter’s memory alive. The donations raised for Kelly’s Kindness are 100% used for youth classes or scholarships.
“Grieving the loss of a child is more painful than words can describe. It creates a shroud of darkness that feels impossible to sleep,” Holly Hume said. “While struggling with the loss, I searched and prayed for answers on ways to find peace and healing. I have found moments of peace in various ways, but the best healing tool has been through celebrating Kelly’s life and her beautiful legacy.”
Because of the fundraisers, Kelly Hume’s memory continues and has brought about kindness. Holly Hume said her daughter was kind and quick to forgive others. She also saw the beauty in everything.
“It started with a simple Facebook post asking people to do a kind deed, and it led to hashtag Kelly’s Kindness cards with Kelly’s picture and a challenge to do a kind deed,” Holly Hume said. “I knew that there was something more that Kelly wanted me to do, and this led to starting the nonprofit organization.”
Kelly Hume suffered from anxiety, depression, OCD, and trichotillomania. She had worked with several therapists and was on medication that didn’t seem to make a difference, according to Holly Hume. The tool that helped Kelly Hume cope was art. She had a talent for creating and would get lost in sketches for hours.
“I started Kelly’s Kindness that supports students who suffer from depression, anxiety, OCD, and trichotillomania by providing art lessons, art supplies, and scholarships,” Holly Hume said.
The organization proposed a project that would involve high school students creating a transportable mural. The chosen design was created by Crown Point High School student Bridget Godsen. Other high school students then painted the mural. Godsen received a scholarship for $1,500, and her mural will be displayed in the St. Jude House in Crown Point.
For more information about Kelly’s Kindness, visit kellyskindness.net.