Representatives with Joe’s Hope Foundation presented Rochester Community Schools with $300 to eliminate outstanding school lunch balances at the Rochester Community School Board meeting on Dec. 18. The foundation is in memory of Joe Shidler, who passed away from leukemia in 2014. Shown from left are Joe’s brother Dustin Shidler, Joe’s Hope president and marketing director; Joe’s sister Lacey Shidler, Joe’s Hope secretary and resource director; and Joe’s father Chad Shidler, Joe’s Hope route manager. Photo provided by Joe’s Hope.

By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews

ROCHESTER — Rochester Community Schools helped Joe Shidler when he was a student battling cancer.

Now Shidler’s family has helped RCS students in his memory.

Members of the Shidler family presented a $300 check to RCS at the Rochester Community School Board meeting on Monday, Dec. 18, from the nonprofit Joe’s Hope Foundation. Monies are to pay for the outstanding school lunch balances from students at all four Rochester schools.

“We like to give back to the community as much as we can,” said Joe’s brother Dustin Shidler, who serves as president and marketing director for Joe’s Hope.

Joe’s Hope was started after Joe was diagnosed with leukemia in 2010 and continued on after his passing in 2014. Mainly the organization raises funds to help people with bills and the like while they are battling the disease.

Dustin said Joe’s Hope pivoted more recently to also helping with general community needs.

In the past, the organization has adopted families to buy Christmas gifts for. However, that didn’t work out this year, which led to the school lunch bill donation, said Dustin.

He noted RCS through teacher Deb Wolford helped Joe stay on track with his studies when he was fighting cancer.

“God bless that woman,” said Dustin.

Dustin said people are welcome to connect with Joe’s Hope to learn of resources such as grief groups and more as the organization has connected with social services groups.

People may call (574) 201-0134, email [email protected] or check out the organization’s Facebook page.

They may also reach through the above methods to donate as well as by sending funds to P.O. Box 182, Rochester, IN 46975 or looking for one of the more than 60 donation containers in the area.

One has just been set up in The Shopping Guide News of Fulton County’s office at 617 Main St., Rochester.