Even in death, 14-year-old Ashley Scott is throwing a lifeline.

The Douglas County teenager who inspired thousands of Coloradans during the holidays with her selfless work for the homeless took her life on Oct. 23.

Scott was 6, a Colorado Springs Rockrimmon Elementary School first grader, when she started KidsCareToo. The effort, which was already big along the Front Range, has spread to Pueblo where relatives are taking it on and to Birmingham, Alabama, spearheaded by her Godmother.

Ashley and her mom, Annette Turnpaugh Henington, ran the entire production that first year. The pair baked cookies and used some of their holiday spending money to buy blankets, socks and gloves.

On Christmas Eve, they walked up and down Tejon Street and Nevada Avenue in downtown Colorado Springs and handed out bags of presents to people who looked like they could use them.

Two people gave Ashley stuffed animals in return. One did a magic trick for her.

“Some people gave me hugs,” Ashley said.

In just a year, it grew into a community-wide project.

She made such an impact that then-Governor John Hickenlooper recognized the tiny blonde’s big heart for his final State of the State address in 2018.

“We’re putting our faith in people like 7-year-old Ashley Scott from Colorado Springs,” Hickenlooper said. “Two years ago, she started a holiday benefit and purchased blankets, socks and gloves for the homeless. This past year, she partnered with 20 businesses, her school, and the community to do even more.”

As he wound up his tribute, Hickenlooper asked Ashley to stand for a round of applause and remarked that it was a shame that she couldn’t run for governor.

The family eventually moved to Douglas County where Ashley was a freshman at Rock Canyon High School.

Her parents said Ashley’s unexpected death took them by surprise — she seemed to be doing well in school and her work with KidsCareToo was ongoing.

However, Annette Turnpaugh Henington suspects that Ashley was bullied.

“We believe Ashley struggled with bullying, as well as other everyday teenage pressures in her life,” Henington said, adding that families try to be too perfect and don’t talk about what it means when life isn’t OK.

There were few signs that the outgoing teenager was having a hard time, except once she told her mom that someone wasn’t being very nice. The Douglas County Sheriff has Ashley’s cellphone to investigate any bullying which may have been happening by text or through social media.

Henington is remembering her beautiful and fearless girl who had arranged for prisoners to knit hats and gloves for the homeless, or who would hug a person on the street if they asked her.

“She had so much energy. She would get up in the morning and do her hair and makeup. We had started calling her ”Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo”

In death, Scott has inspired a new cause. The Ashley Isabella Scott Foundation Inc, a Colorado non-profit, has been created to continue Ashley’s life mission to “inspire others, choose kindness, stop bullying.” Henington hopes the acronym “DSIS” — Don’t Suffer in Silence — will catch on in Ashley’s honor. And #DoItForAshley is catching on among the teen’s friends.

A celebration of Ashley’s Life will be held at Cherry Hills Community Church in Highlands Ranch on Nov. 23.

“Ashley wouldn’t want anybody to be sad. She was always dancing around. She would say ‘If you get a chance in life to either sit it out or dance, just dance.'” said Henington.  “If you do something for yourself, dance…Do it for Ashley.”

Editor’s note: This story includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988. There is also an online chat at 988lifeline.org.

Written with the help of Colorado Springs Gazette reporter Debbie Kelley. 

Even in death, 14-year-old Ashley Scott is throwing a lifeline.

The Douglas County teenager who inspired thousands of Coloradans during the holidays with her selfless work for the homeless took her life on Oct. 23. 

Scott was 6, a Colorado Springs Rockrimmon Elementary School first grader, when she started KidsCareToo. The effort, which was already big along the Front Range, has spread to Pueblo where relatives are taking it on and to Birmingham, Alabama, spearheaded by her Godmother. 

Ashley and her mom, Annette Turnpaugh Henington, ran the entire production that first year. The pair baked cookies and used some of their holiday spending money to buy blankets, socks and gloves.

On Christmas Eve, they walked up and down Tejon Street and Nevada Avenue in downtown Colorado Springs and handed out bags of presents to people who looked like they could use them.

Two people gave Ashley stuffed animals in return. One did a magic trick for her.

“Some people gave me hugs,” Ashley said.

In just a year, it grew into a community-wide project.

She made such an impact that then-Governor John Hickenlooper recognized the tiny blonde’s big heart for his final State of the State address in 2018.

“We’re putting our faith in people like 7-year-old Ashley Scott from Colorado Springs,” Hickenlooper said. “Two years ago, she started a holiday benefit and purchased blankets, socks and gloves for the homeless. This past year, she partnered with 20 businesses, her school, and the community to do even more.”

As he wound up his tribute, Hickenlooper asked Ashley to stand for a round of applause and remarked that it was a shame that she couldn’t run for governor.

The family eventually moved to Douglas County where Ashley was a freshman at Rock Canyon High School. 

Her parents said Ashley’s unexpected death took them by surprise — she seemed to be doing well in school and her work with KidsCareToo was ongoing.

However, Annette Turnpaugh Henington suspects that Ashley was bullied.

“We believe Ashley struggled with bullying, as well as other everyday teenage pressures in her life,” Henington said, adding that families try to be too perfect and don’t talk about what it means when life isn’t OK. 

There were few signs that the outgoing teenager was having a hard time, except once she told her mom that someone wasn’t being very nice. The Douglas County Sheriff has Ashley’s cellphone to investigate any bullying which may have been happening by text or through social media.

Henington is remembering her beautiful and fearless girl who had arranged for prisoners to knit hats and gloves for the homeless, or who would hug a person on the street if they asked her.

“She had so much energy. She would get up in the morning and do her hair and makeup. We had started calling her ”Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo”

In death, Scott has inspired a new cause. The Ashley Isabella Scott Foundation Inc, a Colorado non-profit, has been created to continue Ashley’s life mission to “inspire others, choose kindness, stop bullying.” Henington hopes the acronym “DSIS” — Don’t Suffer in Silence — will catch on in Ashley’s honor. And #DoItForAshley is catching on among the teen’s friends.

A celebration of Ashley’s Life will be held at Cherry Hills Community Church in Highlands Ranch on Nov. 23.

“Ashley wouldn’t want anybody to be sad. She was always dancing around. She would say ‘If you get a chance in life to either sit it out or dance, just dance.'” said Henington.  “If you do something for yourself, dance…Do it for Ashley.”

Editor’s note: This story includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988. There is also an online chat at 988lifeline.org.

Written with the help of Colorado Springs Gazette reporter Debbie Kelley.