Local families benefit from Harvest Festival donations
Andy Raber of the Killbuck Savings Bank, left, Cordell Miller holding Eden, Kayla Miller and Doug Burgess, Berlin Main Street Merchants president.
Each year the Berlin Main Street Merchants holds the annual Harvest Festival and selects two area families to receive a donation from the organization to help offset expenses the families have incurred due to medical conditions, devastating losses and the like.
The goal of the BMSM organization is to raise $20,000 to be divided equally between the two chosen beneficiaries. This year the Harvest Fest committee members selected the Schlabach and Miller families as the recipients.
The Schlabach’s 11-year-old son Grady was diagnosed with post transplant lymphoproliferative disorder, large B-cell lymphoma, monomorphic. The family has faced many medical expenses including hospital care and travel to and from the hospital.
Currently Grady Schlabach is doing well and attending school. The family said they were humbled and grateful for the donation from the merchants.
The Miller’s son Eden suffered a severe asthma attack at the age of 5 months. As a result he has endured countless hospital stays during his young life and takes a regimen of steroids and medication daily to help strengthen his lungs. He continues to make progress but will experience this condition for his entire life.
Prior to presenting the check to the Schlabach family at the BMSM meeting, President Doug Burgess said, “It is such a testimony to our area here that we as a community were able to come together, hold an event and raise $20,000 to be divided equally between two beneficiaries. As a committee and organization, we are thankful for everyone who came out and supported the Harvest Fest and these two wonderful and deserving families.”