The Yoder's Story
Justin and Emily Yoder are two of the most generous and faith-filled souls you will ever meet. They are the kind of people who constantly show up for others pouring out love, compassion, and joy to everyone around them without ever asking for anything in return.
Over the past few years, life has dealt them blow after blow and they have continually responded with incredible grace, strength, and hope. But right now - they are stretched to the absolute limit and they need our community to rally around them to carry the load.
A Journey of Selfless Love
For years, Justin and Emily have poured every ounce of their energy, love, and resources into caring for her mother, who has been battling late-stage Alzheimer’s for over a decade. When her condition worsened significantly, Emily and Justin didn't hesitate: they moved into her parents’ home to provide full-time care under one roof.
Navigating late-stage Alzheimer’s is physically, emotionally, and financially exhausting. Between emergency room visits, mounting medical bills, and heavy medical debt carried by Emily's devoted father, the weight on this family was already immense.
Then came another shocking discovery: severe black mold in the basement.
Because of the severe health risks to everyone in the home, what started as a targeted fix forced a near whole-home renovation and remediation project.
Fighting to the Finish Line
The Yoders fought hard to tackle this challenge head-on. They stretched limited resources as far as humanly possible, putting in relentless sweat equity to strip out the mold and rebuild. They managed to get a tremendous amount of the work done, but after months of nonstop strain, they have officially run out of time and funds.
To make matters harder, recent heavy rains and local flooding brought back patches of mold and revealed an additional roof leak. Yet another heavy weight piled on top of an already overwhelming mountain of challenges.
They know exactly what work is needed to fix the roof and finish the basement safely, but the additional repairs add to costs they simply cannot cover on their own right now. As a result, the basement remains unsafe and incomplete.
A Countdown to Baby Yoder
This home situation is critical for one major reason: In just one month, Justin and Emily are expecting the birth of their very first child.
After everything they have endured and given to others, Justin and Emily are about to welcome Baby Yoder into the world. They desperately need a safe, clean, mold-free, and stable home environment ready for their newborn’s arrival.
Carrying the Load Together: The Ruck
On August 29, Kyle set out to raise awareness and rally support for Justin and Emily Yoder by taking on an ambitious solo ruck around Columbus.
Over 12 hours, Kyle covered 37 miles with his pack, carrying water and supplies along the way. While he didn't reach the original 50-mile goal, every mile represented a physical reminder of the weight Justin and Emily have quietly carried for years - and a call for the rest of us to help lighten that load.
The ruck may be complete, but the mission isn't.
Kyle took his steps. Now our community has the opportunity to take the next ones.
The Mission Continues: How You Can Help
Kyle's ruck was only one way to show up for the Yoders. Now, there are more opportunities for our community to get involved.
❤️ Donate: Every contribution helps provide the materials, repairs, and resources needed to create a safe, healthy home for Baby Yoder.
🛠️ Labor Day Labor of Love - September 5: Join us in helping prepare the Yoders' home, sponsor volunteer hours, provide food or water for the team, or donate toward those needs.
🛍️ Shop for a Cause: Support the Yoders while shopping with Today Is My Favorite Day. Use code YODERS for 10% off, and 50% of the proceeds will go toward supporting Justin and Emily.
🍽️ Dine for a Cause - Coming Soon: We're working on another opportunity to gather as a community and support the Yoders over a meal. Details coming soon!
🙏🏻 Share & Pray: Continue sharing the Yoders' story and keeping Justin, Emily, their family, and Baby Yoder in your prayers.
There are many ways to help, but they all lead to the same goal: reminding this family that they don't have to carry this load alone.
