Orphaned Amish Children Update: Funeral & Recovery Photos, Reaching 200K Goal

A month ago came the sad news of the deaths of an Amish mother and father in a Virginia car-buggy accident, leaving behind eight children without parents, and hospitalized with their own injuries. Since that accident, the organizer of one of the fundraisers for the children has given several updates. First, on October 22, Elmer Zook wrote:

Thanks to everyone that has donated, the support is absolutely incredible, it’s hard to put into words the gratitude we feel as a family of the support we have received. As a quick update, we are nearing our goal of 160k which was our goal to payoff the mortgage. I will however keep increasing the goal on this account and the funds donated to this account will go into savings funds for the children. On Thursday 10/21/21 all children were out of the hospital and able to attend their parents funeral.

There are photos accompanying the update, including of buggies at the funeral and the parents’ graves.

On November 1, Zook shared the following on the progress of one of the children:

A quick update, what a difference 2 weeks can make. The first 2 pictures are of Marion the 3 yr old that was life flighted to the hospital and on Saturday as I was helping the kids do the chores she insisted on helping to milk the cow. Members of their church all came over to split firewood for their winter heat. The support and generosity of everyone has been absolutely incredible and it’s hard to express our gratitude. To everyone Thank You!

Finally, just yesterday he shared the happy news of reaching a milestone for the children:

Wow… people’s generosity is absolutely amazing! We are so thankful for everyone’s support and contribution to the Esh family. As of an hour ago we reached our goal of 200k! I expect to let the fundraiser up for a short while longer and if you want to make additional contributions to the Esh family you can contact me and I’ll give you an address to send funds.

Good for them. Not much other news here on the other children and where they will end up, but I assume they will be adopted by someone from the Virginia community or back in the Lancaster home settlement. Prayers for these children in recovering from this immense loss and that they will end up in a good home.

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9 Comments

  1. Sharon Thomas

    Prayers

    Praying for the family, victims and friends. Many blessings and prayers!

  2. Melissa

    Esh Orphans

    Will the Esh orphans be able to be adopted together? After such heart brea, itbwould he terrible to seperate the kids, especially if some stay in Virginia and some go back to Lancaster!

    1. I’d be beyond surprised if they weren’t.

  3. Linda Hoad

    Amish Orphaned Children

    Hello, The children are in my thoughts and prayers. I pray the children can stay together. I have a big love for the Amish. I wish I had been Amish myself. I live in Florida, and if the children are placed outside of an Amish community I would like to help. I can foster a child if that is needed. I would like to help in any way if that is possible. God Bless you all. Linda H

  4. Margaret

    Orphaned kids

    I hope maybe a middle age couple…a couple who’s kids are out of the out of the house (think empty nesters)…but wanting another batch of kids, maybe they’d want to take these kids on. I don’t know anything about the farm or their living arrangements but it just seems these kids have endured something so tragic, it would be insult to injury to split them up.

    What is the states position on this? Do they have to go into some formal foster home environment or is it handled through the amish community?

    1. Catherine Segal

      Esh Children

      I just can’t imagine with their many Aunts and Uncles that there are not plans
      in the works to keep them together with family. They are a private people, we may
      never know.

  5. Joanne (Lloyd) Carlson

    Address

    I’ve looked high and low and can’t find an address where I could send a contribution. Am I just overlooking it? Thanks

    1. I’m not sure on an address but looks like they still have the Go Fund me page up here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/raising-funds-to-payoff-the-remaining-mortgage?viewupdates=1&rcid=r01-163785582253-a03803e75bf94083&utm_medium=email&utm_source=customer&utm_campaign=p_email%2B1137-update-supporters-v5b

      And looks like you can also contact the organizer Elmer Zook directly (there is a contact button on that page) and he will give an address to send funds if you prefer to do it that way.

  6. Chana Moss

    Orphan children

    I am begging the family to please consider keeping the siblings all together if possible and close by to their home, I believe this is very important for the healing process. I am not Amish but I am a believer, born again Christian, who would be willing to take on any part of responsibilities needed to assist this family either temporarily and would also love to discuss, assist with long-term planning for the children. References would be provided upon request, so please let me know if I may help in any way. Praying for this family daily that the children feel God’s love and are at peace during this difficult time. ❤️

    Nurse Chana