After Loss Of Emergency Responder, Parents Give Back In Son’s Name

Support continues for a nonprofit founded after a dedicated Lower Bucks County emergency responder ended his own life.

This past Saturday, the Bristol Township-based Kenny Hopkins Memorial Scholarship Fund raised about $5,000 at a wiffle ball tournament at Keystone Elementary School in Croydon to benefit locals seeking to begin or further their career in emergency services.

During an interview, Kenneth and Georgeanne Hopkins explained to LevittownNow.com their plans for the future and told of their son’s dedication to his community.

Georgeanne Hopkins said her son Kenny Hopkins, 37, committed suicide on June 30, 2016 after dealing with PTSD and a number of mounting issues in his personal life.

After his loss, community members who had been helped by Kenny Hopkins reached out to the family and shared their story.

“It was about his kindness, dedication, and compassion,” Georgeanne Hopkins said.

That’s where the idea to start the Kenny Hopkins Memorial Scholarship Fund sprouted from.

“At the time of his death, he was working to become a paramedic after being an EMT and 20-year Croydon firefighter,” Georgeanne Hopkins said.

From there the Kenny Hopkins Memorial Scholarship Fund was formed in late 2016 and volunteers began raising funds to award scholarships.

In the two years since the Kenny Hopkins Memorial Scholarship Fund was formed, eight scholarships totaling $17,000 have been awarded.

The scholarships are granted to students in healthcare programs or studying emergency services at Bucks County Technical High School and the Middle Bucks Institute of Technology. It is also open adults in Lower Bucks County looking to serve or further their career in emergency service.

Moving forward, the nonprofit hopes to expand its donor pool and come up with new fundraisers to keep the scholarship program vibrant, Kenneth Hopkins said.

“This is what keeps us going,” his wife said. “This is what it’s all about – paying it forward.”

“I liken [Kenny’s] impact to a tiny pebble in a pond and its ripple effect.”

The Hopkins family said they hope that with continuing support like that shown during the weekend wiffle ball tournament, the scholarship fund will continue benefit the community and live on for many years to come.

“How his life ended was just a small piece of our son’s time,” Georgeanne Hopkins said. “We want to focus on how he served his community during his life.”