YULAN, NY — It began over breakfast. Three friends sat in the Yulan Country Store chowing down on omelets and coffee, considering the plight of their mutual friend, Rich Watts of Barryville, who is undergoing treatment for  multiple myeloma. In addition to holding Rich and his wife Bonnie up in prayer, they were in agreement that they wanted to “be the hands and feet of Jesus” in meeting this need, because that is exactly what Rich would do. 

So they said, “We’re having breakfast. Let’s have a breakfast and invite the community to join us!” 

Excitement built in their hearts and as they shared their plan, it seemed that everyone who heard of the idea was eager to make this a reality. 

The project fit squarely into the stated mission of Can’t Hurt Steel, to provide support for community members at their greatest times of need. This group has generously agreed to underwrite much of the cost of the food and supplies for the fundraiser. 

Boy Scout Troop 102 exemplified its motto, being prepared to jump into the project with both feet. Rich has been active in the local troop for decades, and even through his illness, continues as chairman of the local council. The Scouts and their leaders will provide much needed manpower to the task. 

Rich has been employed by Young Life Lake Champion for 27 years. Said camp manager Bob Hazard, “Rich always has a smile on his face and is a servant leader. Rich is a vault of information, and he has modeled to everyone around him what hard work and faith in the Lord looks like.” 

The camp is providing tremendous behind-the-scenes support to the endeavor in the form of supplies and raffle items. 

The Eldred Congregational Church contacted Rich about erecting the food pantry that is located at the end of the church’s driveway, just across from Pecks Market and next door to the Highland Town Hall. This contact was made in the first weeks of the COVID lockdown. Despite that time of upheaval and uncertainty, Rich was pleased to donate his expertise and labor to the task, which continues to benefit community members, the church is spearheading the fundraising effort. 

Barryville Methodist Church has been Rich and Bonnie’s home church for years. And the Pond Eddy Methodist Church folks have a heart to give. 

Without hesitation, these organizations, joined by many individuals, have combined forces and resources to make the fundraiser a reality. 

The benefit will include a sit-down breakfast, a carry-out soup sale, a very sweet bake sale and raffles for gift baskets, gift certificates and other prizes including $250 of Pecks Market gift cards, a Silver Canoe Delaware River float trip, a cord of split firewood donated by Marc Anthony and a $200 Dick’s Sporting Goods gift card, with more prizes being added. The soups will be expertly prepared by Konrad from Yulan Country Kitchen and the head chef at Young Life, and are available by the quart or pint. Ruth Consiglio is donating her face painting expertise for all who want to be so adorned. 

As one of the committee members said, it is during such times that this community shines brightest. Before a formal meeting was even held, gift baskets, gift certificates for goods and services, and financial contributions started to pour in.  

Multiple myeloma is a cancer that forms in a type of white blood cell called a plasma cell. Healthy plasma cells help fight infections by making antibodies that recognize and attack germs. In multiple myeloma, cancerous plasma cells accumulate in the bone marrow and crowd out healthy blood cells. In Rich’s case, a very significant amount of marrow has been compromised by the cancer. His treatment will include heavy-duty chemotherapy and two stem cell transplants over at least three or four months. During this process, he must be isolated because after such treatment, the patient is very susceptible to infection. 

Coincidentally, March is Myeloma Awareness Month. 

The ad-hoc group of friends and community members asks that you join with your neighbors, eat some good eggs with all of the trimmings, take home some soup and desserts, try to win some gift baskets or certificates, and show your generosity in meeting a neighbor’s need. 

Breakfast costs $10 per adult (kids 6-12, $6; under 6 is free); soup costs $8 per quart and $5 per pint; and the baked goods will be pay-as-you-wish. Preorders of soup can be made at itswattshappening@gmail.com.

But if you can’t make it, donations can be made by check payable to ECC and mailed to Eldred Congregational Church, PO Box 116, Eldred NY 12732 designated for Rich Watts, or VENMOed to @itswattshappen

ing. Contributions of baskets or certificates can be dropped off at the church at 8 Proctor Rd., or pickup can be arranged. 

The event is at the Highland Town Hall in Eldred on Saturday, March 25 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Don’t miss it, because it’s WATTS happening!