Campaign Raises More Than $20,000 for Local Amish Family Struck by Tragedy

A fundraising campaign to help a Potter Township Amish family that lost four members in two farming accidents this year surpassed its $20,000 goal.

The GoFundMe effort launched in October by the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau and Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County concluded on Monday with a total of $22,000 from 143 individuals to assist Esther Beiler and her six surviving children.

Beiler’s 16-year-old son Jonathan died on March 29 after he became pinned between two steel wheels on a piece of equipment at the family’s farm on Lower Brush Valley Road in Potter Township.

Less than six months later, the family lost its father and two more sons. Andrew Beiler, 47, along with sons Nathan, 19, and Daniel, 14, died from asphyxiation due to silo gases after becoming trapped in the farm’s silo on Sept. 21.

All four deaths were ruled accidental.

“The HVAB and the Chamber are touched by the generosity of the local residents and businesses that joined us in lifting up a farming family facing such a tremendous loss,” HVAB President and CEO Fritz Smith said in a statement. “We hope the money raised will be a blessing for Esther and her children as they continue to cope with the loss of their loved ones.”

The two nonprofit organizations provided $5,000 in seed money for the fundraiser through their joint Happy Valley Agventures initiative..

“The outpouring of support for the GoFundMe campaign reflects how much our Amish neighbors are valued, and how quickly and compassionately our community responds when there is a need,” CBICC President and CEO Greg Scott said. “Our organizations thank everyone who donated to the campaign.”