Duttlinger Family Scholarship Fund

Tonight the Duttlinger Family and their oldest son Hudson won the Reserve Grand Champion Gilt at the Porter County Fair. This was a huge honor for Hudson in his only second year of 4-H, but the best part of it all was his mom Ashlee was able to sit in the front row and watch him win! It was a fantastic lasting moment for the family and a memory they will never forget.

We are now going to be able to sell this pig in the auction and it will set a record price for the Reserve Grand Champion Gilt. Every dollar counts, so please keep giving! We are going to do something truly remarkable for this family with your help. Ashlee's name will hang in the barn with her son forever, and no one will ever forget how truly special she is.

As you may already know, my wife Anna and I are the chairs for the Porter County Fair 4-H Celebration Sale. Every year we hold an auction at the end of the fair to celebrate the accomplishments of the 4-Her's and their animal projects. These animals are offered in the auction and the proceeds raised go to support the 4-Her's in their future endeavors.

In the past we have never reached out to you to support the fair because we have a very loyal community to support the youth of Porter County. This year Anna and I are leading a very important project and we really need the help of our friends to make it happen.

Anna, the boys and I are very close to a family in our community that is going through a very difficult time. The Duttlinger family is truly a special family not only to our family, but to the whole community. Eric, Ashlee, Hudson and Brooks are involved in everything in the community and give back whenever they can. Eric and I were in 4-H together in Lake County and our fathers both served as superintendents at the fair. When we moved to Porter County, Ashlee became a true friend to Anna - welcoming her to this great community in which we live. Brooks is in 2nd grade at Morgan Township with our son Jack. Hudson is entering the 5th grade this year, but even as he is older he has created a great relationship with our youngest son Hardee. Brooks and Hudson volunteer at the Morgan Township Fish Fry, Hudson is in the bucket fillers club at school, Ashlee supported the Morgan Township Dance Team, ran the cutest baby contest and the junior judging contest at the fair and Eric has donated his exceptional craftsman skills to countless projects that our families enjoy every year at the Porter County Fair. They are truly a family filled with kindness and a drive to help others.

Several years ago Ashlee was diagnosed with colon cancer, and has been battling ever since. She was in remission, and then it all came back again. It has been an up and down battle for years, but never once has Ashley had a bad attitude about anything in life. She was the first to volunteer to make the kid's birthday gift bags last year for Hardee's birthday party, and would pitch in wherever she could at the fair. She is such a fighter.

Unfortunately her fight has become too much, and they have brought in hospice to make her more comfortable. Though as she texted with Anna a few days ago, she said this is not the end and she will continue to battle. At 38 years old, no mother should have to say goodbye to her children.

Here is where you come in to help us. In Ashlee's honor we want to set-up a scholarship fund for the boys to have for college. Through the 4-H auction we will purchase Hudson's animal, and all the money will go back to the boys for the fund. We are taking donations for the fund with a minimum of $1000, but there is no limit one can give. The reason we are creating a minimum is to ensure we raise a substantial fund for the boys and to make this an exclusive group that really does something special for this family.

Now is your time to help us make a difference in our community to a special family. We know you do not know Ashlee and her family, but you can understand the need and know I would not ask you for help unless I knew this was important enough for you to give. Your donation is 100% tax deductible and you will get a receipt from the Porter County Fair 4-H auction (we are a 501C3). As a buyer you will be invited to the auction to experience this special moment or if you cannot be there in person you will be able to watch the auction live online. Also you will be recognized in the auction marketing as a buyer, free admission for the fair auction night in 2023, and invited to the special auction buyer dinner.

One last note on this, the pig that we purchase in the auction is going to be donated to the Northwest Indiana Food Bank. Not only will you help the Duttlinger family, but you are going to help feed hungry families here in Northwest Indiana with the donation.

Please let me know if you have any questions and if you would like to participate in this special moment and in a life changing event for a special family.