About

It all began as an idea back in 2016 when Jared Filapose was running for school board. Jared wanted to help Yough students and families. It took a few years for the idea to come to fruition. In the late fall of 2021, Jared Filapose, then President of Yough School Board, had contacted Dr. Sardon, the Superintendent of Yough School District, about setting up a committee comprised of Business Leaders, Current and Past School Board members, Community Leaders, Clergy, the Yough Administration team, and citizens of our district to create a foundation that helps our students, community, and our senior citizens in times of need.

The group was called the "Yough Helpful Hands Committee". Jared had selected a group of individuals with certain skills to aid and grow our committee into the Yough Helping Hands Foundation it is today. In June 2023, the committee became a Nonprofit 501c3 organization. What we have done so far has truly been amazing and rewarding. It has been a humble experience.

Over 300 Hot family Thanksgiving meals have been delivered to date, over 100 pairs of shoes for our children from elementary to the high school; five annual scholarships at $500 for our students at Yough; Fall and Spring Shop at Walmart with an administration member or a member of our foundation where the kids can get shoes, clothing, jackets, hats, etc. for $150 each child. This project is just amazing. This project is for those children whose parents cannot afford new clothing for the start of school. The project solves this problem from elementary to the high school and it is open to all in need. A donation of $500 to the Yough Cougar Café to encourage kids to run a business. Over $3000 for fire victims in our community and over $2000 for kids in our schools whose parents that have passed away; assistance in paying electric bills for those in need that have had their power shut off. We have held three free senior citizen spaghetti dinners at our high school. Presented two community service awards for recognizing others that have helped people in our community. The first being Mr. Joe Fiore who presented the second award to the Bible Alliance Church Youth Group for their donation to the Foundation.

Jared Filapose was our First Chair of our Foundation from October 2021 to December 2023, Linda Knor our Vice Chair, Ruth Bisko Secretary, and Jim Myers Treasurer along with fifteen original members.

Mr. Filapose resigned as Chair in December 2023 due to his mother having health issues but remains on the board and actively participates.

Today, Linda Knor is our current Chair and will lead us to new goals and partnerships to continue to grow our Foundation in the future.

We welcome all people to come and join us so we can grow and continue to expand our foundation to help those in need inside our Yough Community Family.