COLLINS, Ohio — The Western Reserve FFA chapter is calling its benefit dinner for student Austin Yaworsky a success.
The benefit was held Dec. 10, at Western Reserve High School. Micayla Finchum, chapter president, said the chapter served around 400 people and raised around $7,500 for Austin to put toward an Action Trackchair to help him get around the family farm better. Adviser Mark Starkey said an additional $371 was received in donations from those who could not attend the benefit.
Austin was born with cerebral palsy, which has put some physical limitations on what he can do, but has not stopped him from pursuing his dream of farming.
See Austin’s story here: Teen overcomes disability to continue farming
Just in time for Christmas
Angie Yaworsky, Austin’s mother, was happy to report the family was able to order the track chair following the benefit. “We got the chair ordered and it should be here this week,” just in time for Christmas, she said.
“Austin is really excited. He keeps asking, “When is that chair coming?’,” said Yaworsky.
According to his mother, Austin plans to make his first trip out to the woods, an area on the farm he has not been able to visit for a while.
“Austin kept saying he was never going to get the chair,” said Finchum. So when they found they had met their goal, the family was pretty excited, she added.
A special note
Yaworsky said the family has been overwhelmed with mail from those who read Austin’s story in Farm and Dairy, and was especially touched by a note they received from a 12-year-old boy.
The boy sent Austin a card with a picture of himself on his own farm and told Austin about his family farm. There needs to be more people who want to farm and provide food, the boy wrote.
Yaworsky said they have also since had Ohio AgrAbility out to do an assessment on the farm and see what other things can be done to help make farming more accessible for Austin. “We want to get some doors widened and we are looking into getting him a lift,” said Yaworsky.
Donations
“They (the Yaworskys) were elated and sincerely thankful to all who either donated or helped put this (benefit) together,” said Starkey. Starkey said the chapter will continue to accept donations through December.
“If they send a check, I am still going to make sure the family gets the donation,” he said.
Checks can be mailed to: Western Reserve FFA Alumni, Attn: Mark Starkey, 3841 U.S. Route 20 E., Collins, OH 44826.
