Orange Out for Otto raises $10,000 for East Helena toddler with leukemia

East Helena’s Vigilantes gym turned a sea of orange as the community gathered for "Orange Out for Otto," raising more than $10,000 to help one-year-old Otto Somerfeld and his family during his battle with leukemia. The fundraiser took place during East Helena's home basketball games against Lockwood and pooled proceeds from multiple activities.

Organizers sold more than 250 orange shirts, with all shirt proceeds directed to the Somerfeld family. Additional money came from raffle baskets, a pop-a-shot competition and a 50/50 raffle. A GoFundMe campaign with a $100,000 goal had already topped more than $96,000, and the night's efforts added a local surge of support to that broader fund.

The show of solidarity filled the gym that is normally dominated by navy blue. "I came out midway through the fourth quarter of the JV game," East Helena boys basketball coach Ty Ridgeway said, "and I was like, 'Holy cannoli, there’s a lot of people here!'" Life is bigger than basketball, organizers and attendees said as volunteers manned shirt tables and raffle stations while fans wore orange in the stands.

Family members issued a brief statement following the event. “On behalf of the Somerfeld family — Gus, Holly, and Leroy and Otto — we want to share our deepest gratitude with the East Helena community. The outpouring of love, prayers, and support you have shown us during Otto’s battle with leukemia has been truly humbling. [...]”

The Somerfelds are tied into the local school community: Gus Somerfeld serves as principal at R.H. Radley Elementary School and Holly Somerfeld teaches at East Valley Middle School. That school connection helped mobilize students, staff and neighbors, underscoring how school-based networks often form a frontline of social and financial support for families facing medical crises.

The fundraiser occurred alongside competitive games. East Helena’s boys fell to No. 2-ranked Lockwood, 57-46, with DeonDray Ellis scoring 15 points. The Vigilantes’ girls picked up a 42-35 win over Lockwood; Ellie Silvonen scored 12 and Emma Taylor added nine. Photographers and local media captured both the on-court action and the crowd of orange that filled the stands.

Beyond the immediate tally, the event highlights a broader public health and equity issue: families of children with serious illness often face steep financial burdens even as they navigate care. Community-led drives like Orange Out for Otto provide crucial short-term relief and emotional support, but they also point to gaps in systems meant to protect families from medical hardship.

For now, the Somerfeld family has the backing of a town that turned its gym orange. Readers who want to follow the campaign or lend support can look for updates on the family’s fundraising efforts and local school announcements as the community continues to rally around Otto and his family.