NORMAL - It's been five months since 15-year-old Kirbie Brittain died, but her friends were hustling Saturday to make sure her memory endured.

"Kirbie's Cause" hosted a chili supper at Normal Community High School to help raise money to offset medical expenses for the Brittain family.

Kingsley Junior High Principal Lynette Mehall said it's important for the community to help the family with their financial burden.

Cafeteria workers and custodians donated their time for the event. Mehall credited the group of 20 volunteers, which included classmates of Kirbie, with making the effort a success.

"I think they are the bright spot in it all," Mehall said, of the group of students who sported pink T-shirts in honor of the student who loved the color.

Sarah Ready was friends with the NCHS student about four years before a heart ailment claimed Kirbie in September.

The chili supper and other fundraising projects helped Kirbie's friends deal with their loss, she said.

"This is a big celebration of the life of Kirbie and everything she liked to do," said Ready.

Other fundraising work included parking cars for Illinois State University sporting events. "It was extremely cold some nights, so unbearably cold, but it was worth it," said Ready.

Mehall was optimistic that more than $10,000 would be raised when the proceeds were counted from the chili supper and previous fundraisers.

The family is establishing a scholarship in Kirbie's name for other children who overcome challenges with courage.