Kidron United Fund Drive to benefit local family

KIDRON  Holidays and the new year hopefully will be a little less stressful for a local family thanks to the Kidron United Fund Drive.

The Kidron Community Council continues its longtime annual tradition of having a drive at the end of the year to help a local family in need.

Monetary donations and nonperishable food items are being accepted through Dec. 20 to benefit David and Betty Hochstetler and their three children who have been selected as this year’s recipients.

As in previous years, a letter was mailed out to Kidron residents and businesses reminding people about the fund drive and explaining why the council chose the Hochstetler family.

All contributions to the Kidron United Fund Drive will be given to the Hochstetler family, according to the letter, which was provided by Justin Troyer, president of the Kidron Community Council. There are no administrative costs associated with the drive.

David and his wife, Betty, had a lot hit them in 2019. In early August, their 15-year-old-son, Adam, suffered a ruptured appendix which required a seven-day stay at Akron Children’s hospital.

A couple weeks later their 12-year-old daughter, Heidi, began experiencing some unexplained weight loss. After seeing several different doctors they ended up at Rainbow Babies and Children’s hospital where she was admitted for a nine-day hospital stay. It has been determined to be a digestive issue; however, the exact cause of the issue is still unknown.

In addition, the couple’s third child, Jared, 8, was born with partial trisomy 9. This is a genetic disorder that affects Jared’s everyday lifestyle. He is unable to walk or talk, must use a feed tube, and has some other physical and mental handicaps. Despite all this, he is a very happy child.

Between the hospital visits and Jared’s everyday care, the family’s medical bills are piling up.

“As in the past, your thoughtful and generous contributions enable our community to help our friends and neighbors who are experiencing extraordinary hardships in their lives,” the letter states, signed by community council members Justin Troyer, Jacob Troyer, Allen Miller, Brian Nussbaum, and Linda Boyd. “All contributions will have a positive impact and will help provide encouragement for this year’s family as they deal with difficult times.”

Food and monetary donations may be dropped off at the Kidron branches of Everence, Killbuck Savings Bank, or Farmers National Bank. Monetary donations also can be sent directly to Kidron Community Council at P.O. Box 111, Kidron, Ohio 44636. To ensure timely distribution of funds, contributions are asked to be received no later than Dec. 20. All checks may be be made payable to “Kidron Community Council.”