Reuben Yutzy haystack breakfast fundraiser on tap Sept. 12

Time and time again, people have seen communities throughout the area unite to support area families facing hardships and struggles with financial obligations due to unforeseen circumstances.

Another opportunity to do so has arisen. The Reuben Yutzy Haystack Benefit Breakfast will take place Saturday, Sept. 12 at Heritage Community Center, 3558 state Route 62 between Winesburg and Berlin.

Reuben Yutzy is a single dad who lost his wife, Kathryn, mother to their four children, one year ago in August 2019. Kathryn Yutzy enjoyed horseback riding and wanted to take a pleasure ride one afternoon. The horse got a bit startled and stumbled and fell on its back and pinned Kathryn underneath. She fought for her life for nearly three weeks before succumbing to her head injuries on Aug. 23.

At the time of her death, Reuben Yutzy had been working on remodeling and completing their house. That project was halted following her death when Reuben began having more responsibilities in caring for his family.

According to Reuben Yutzy’s brother Leroy, the devastation the family has been going through one year later continues to make life difficult for all of them.

“Trying to live their lives in a new normal has been very difficult and trying for all of them, especially on the children as they continue to try to adjust living without their mother,” Leroy Yutzy said. “It still weighs very heavy on all of their hearts, and it is a tough situation.”

Reuben Yutzy and Kathryn had purchased their home near Winesburg and were preparing to begin much-needed renovations on the home when tragedy struck. The home was in dire need of many major repairs including a lack of running water, electricity and septic. Leroy Yutzy said the septic and electric have been installed, but the funding now is needed to bring Winesburg city water to the home. Leroy Yutzy said estimates to get running water back to their home will cost around $10,000.

“They simply don’t have any funds to make that happen,” Leroy Yutzy said. “They were actually living in the home before Kathryn passed, but they had no running water and no electric. In order for Reuben and his children to move back in, we would love to finish that if at all possible.”

The extended family has been a great help with Reuben’s family responsibilities, and they are staying with a family member to make it easy for family to assist and until the house can be completed.

However, Reuben Yutzy and his children, age 7, 5, 3 and 2, are currently living in the basement of his sister’s home in a single large room with two beds and a bunkbed.

From an emotional and mental standpoint, Leroy Yutzy said that can be difficult to deal with while trying to raise four young children. He said his brother is working in construction, but the process of overcoming such a devastating loss continues to be a struggle.

“He needs help with the children, but he also needs a place that he and the kids can call their own,” Leroy Yutzy said.

The benefit fundraiser breakfast event is intended to raise funds to complete the following items in the house: stairways and railing, countertops, plumbing, painting, deck railing, flooring, and completing the heating and air-conditioning.

All are invited to attend the Reuben Yutzy Haystack Breakfast Fundraiser at the Heritage Community Center, where breakfast will be served from 6-10:30 a.m.

“We have a committee that has helped make this breakfast possible, and they have been amazing,” Leroy Yutzy said. “And we know how loving and caring our community is when it comes to supporting those in need, so our hope is that we are able to provide Reuben’s family with what they need to take a huge step toward recovering from their loss.”

Anyone with questions or desiring to make a donation if they can’t attend the breakfast can call Leroy and Karen Yutzy at 330-592-1445. Tax-deductible donations can be mailed to Shalom Christian Fellowship, Reuben Yutzy Fund, 6695 Township Highway 607, Fredericksburg, OH 44627.