Yoderoo's Mark

All-

As many of you know we held Yoderfest on August 13th of this year. It was a HUGE success. From the benefit alone we raised $2000 that was donated to the Chris Yoder Building Fund. His church in Charlotte does work in Mexico to help build houses for families in need. Each house that gets built is sponsored by an individual, group, or family, from what I understand anyway. Chris' family began funding a house in his name shortly after his passing.

As I've said before, every day he came home from work he would spend at least an hour, sometimes more, pouring over the Inforoo boards. In a sense, everyone here that he interacted with became part of his extended family. That really showed with the outpouring of support that you gave in the days after Roo '11. I can't thank those of you who offered to help with Yoderfest enough. Anyone who donated anything, whether it was time, money, artwork - anything, has my sincere gratitude. As I have been in the loop with his family about the impact of what Yoderfest did for the CYBF, I wanted to make sure the rest of his family knew as well.

This is an email correspondence between a coordinator of the Fund and Chris' Dad:

Dear [Yoders],

I have just gotten off the phone with David Rodriquez, executive director of Faith Ministries. The call was so appreciated. His voice is tired and to hear that a family will soon be getting a house was overwhelming to him.

I have checked with Virginia, and in Chris’ memorial fund is $8,491.00 The cost of the house is $5,500. I told David I would just gather information for the remaining funds (approx $3,000) and perhaps their needs. You could choose also to put a roof on another house that has been built but there were perhaps not enough funds to do a roof (this will not be the case in house #1) and/or contribute to the extreme needs of food for children and baby formula for babies. The ministry has started a feeding program for children because of the dire financial situation and David R. said after housing it is their biggest need. I am only giving you the information, but know as a family you will figure out how to best use the funds in honor of Chris. If you decide to do the roof we can add a plaque to that house as well.

I will get with David Y. this week and figure out a time we can do the plaque(s) for the house. Once they are done we will send them on to David R. and he said he would send you pictures of the family who is receiving house, photos of the whole process of building it and a photo of the house finished with Chris’ plaque. I can tell you from doing this for mom and dad it is a very special thing to give a family a home…you will always remember this gift to both the family and yourself.

Talk it over as a family and let me know if you wish any other of the funds to go towards Faith Ministries and its programs. Holding you all tight…and love to each of you…Carla




To know that Chris' passing has helped create an opportunity for so many other people in a remote part of the world no one here would normally even think about is incredible to me. Again, I thank each and everyone one of you, whether you helped with Yoderfest, donated anything, replied to one of his threads, offered any advise, asked for advise - whatever it may have been. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.