Kidron Council launches United Fund Drive to aid local families

Now through Dec. 13, Kidron Council will be accepting donations and nonperishable food items for its annual Kidron United Fund Drive.

The purpose of the drive is to raise funds to be a blessing to local individuals or families in need.

Last year, Lusi Hostetler and her three young boys were one of the recipients.

Shortly after his 31st birthday, in April 2024, her husband Moe was diagnosed with a rare, aggressive form of cancer, T-cell lymphoma. Halfway through the treatment plan, they did a scan to see how his response was, and there was a new tumor that had grown in his stomach. Then, they found out there was another treatment that was promising — but also extremely expensive.

“The doctor was just moved by this whole thing, and he called me and said, ‘Hey, I called the pharmacy at the hospital to see if we had any leftovers from the time we were doing the studies, and they have a three-month supply,’” said Hostetler.

They were hopeful that the combination of medicines would work, but Moe just got sicker.

“He was a tough person, and he didn't miss any treatments throughout this whole thing,” said Hostetler.

About six months later, after a roller coaster of sickness and treatments, on Oct. 22, 2024, Moe passed away. 

“We were hopeful that was not going to be the outcome, so in a way, it was unexpected,” said Hostetler.

Thankfully, Moe knew his family was a Kidron United Fund recipient before he passed.

“I think he knew when it was time (to stop treatments). He was at peace,” said Hostetler.

Moe grew up in Kidron following his adoption at age 12 from Liberia, West Africa, and was the son of Dan and Sue Hostetler. Lusi is originally from Cape Town, South Africa, and was adopted as well. She and Moe met at Malone and were married for 10 years.

“We never felt alone," said Hostetler. "Our community was just amazing. Our church community and people in the community were just and have been so supportive. His dad knows so many people, so if anything is broken in the house, I just call him, and he sends somebody. I'm so thankful. I feel blessed despite all the hard times, but I still feel so blessed right now.”

Hostetler used the United Fund money to open an investment fund for their sons, Beckham, Branston and Braxston.

This year, the funds raised will go to two other local families.

On the evening of Aug. 12, Old Order Amish Deacon Uriah Yoder was heading home from making a few stops on his e-bike among the church families. Around 9 p.m., he was hit on his left leg by a car on state Route 94 about a mile from home. This resulted in him being thrown in the ditch with a badly broken leg, broken nose and quite a few bumps — and the car never stopped.

“If he would've given me eight more inches, he would've missed me," said Yoder. "I heard his tires, and the last thing I thought before he hit me was, ‘He's really close to me.’ He hit me, and I just went flying."

After yelling for help, someone heard his voice and called 911. Soon, more cars stopped, and a few RNs were on-site before the squad showed up. He was transported to Aultman Orrville and then life-flighted to Summa Health.

He received three units of blood, spent seven days in ICU and 19 days later, he was able to go home, needing a wheelchair to get around. He is having skin grafting surgery for a wound on the back of his calf around the first of November.

“We've seen the Lord provide in a great way," said Yoder. "People give us stuff and bring us stuff at the right time. I would say it's a godsend. It's way over our head."

Yoder said he doesn't feel worthy to receive help from the United Fund. 

“But if people want to help, we want to accept," he said. "If I can get back to doing work and providing for my family, I'd be grateful.”

Walter and Sarah Amstutz are the other Kidron United Fund recipients, for medical bills for their daughter, Jennika.

On July 5, 2024, Jennika was the 10th child born to the Amstutzes. She was born with Ebstein's anomaly, a rare congenital heart defect that affects the tricuspid valve located between the right atrium and right ventricle of the heart. She was in the hospital for a month after she was born, and the doctors didn’t think she would make it. 

“She's a miracle baby," said her dad, Walter. "Doctors had given up on her and said it was up to a higher power."

She was able to go home, and on Aug. 29, 2025, she had open-heart surgery to fix her valve with her own tissue. 

“It's as close to a fix as they can get,” said Walter.

Jennika has no developmental delays, and they imagine she will be able to lead a normal, full life. 

“We've been blessed with a lot of support from our church and family,” said Walter.

Drop-off locations are Killbuck Savings Bank, Everence Credit Union and Farmers National Bank. The food donation drop-off location is at Kidron Town & Country Store.

Make checks payable to Kidron Council, P.O. Box 111, Kidron, Ohio 44636. A tax-deductible receipt can be provided. Kidron Council is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation.