When long-time resident of Red Tail and friend to many, Chrissy Yug, isn’t at her home in Utah or traveling the World with her husband and college-aged triplets, she is spending about twenty hours a week volunteering for three amazing local charities: Prayers From Maria, Village Project, and Community Resource Services. 

I had the pleasure of meeting with Chrissy while she was on her three-hour shift at the Prayers from Maria Field of Hope, now located off Middleton Road (East of Jaycox Road) in Avon. She was running the adorable little storefront, which hosted a variety of “hope” and sunflower memorabilia, jewelry, clothing and books written by local authors. While talking, Chrissy met with a few visitors answering questions, directing them to sunflower photo opportunities, and taking donations. At one point,  a 37-year-old young lady who was a 27-seven-year brain-cancer survivor approached Chrissy with an $800 check to donate to the cause. Tricia, the donor,  creates and sells greeting cards and art work and donates the money to charities, Prayers from Maria being her choice of charities now. WOW! 

Chrissy has volunteered with Prayers from Maria for eight years working about nine hours a week at either the Field of Hope (fall), the seasonal pop-up store (winter) in Rocky River and/or selling flower bouquets for Mothers Day  and Valentines Day. She feels like changing the world begins in her backyard and this sunflower field is practically in her backyard in Avon. It gives Chrissy great pride and personal satisfaction to be a part of such a special program in her community. 

Prayers From Maria Foundation first planted the Sunflower Field in 2014 to draw attention to the dismal lack of funding for childhood cancer research. The field was inspired by the memory and spirit of Maria McNamara, planted as a way to love and honor the courageous children who are battling cancer and to celebrate the lives of those who lost their battle. Maria died in 2007 at the age of 7 after a one-year battle with brain cancer. (If you would like to get involved or donate to this worthy cause, please visit PrayersFromMaria.org.)

Chrissy also volunteers at the Village Project in Bay Village, cooking about two hours a week to make approximately 45-65 nutritious meals for cancer patients and their families each week. Village Project delivers these free meals to cancer patients and their families in Rocky River, Westlake, Bay Village, Avon, and Avon Lake. This nonprofit organization is located behind Malley’s Chocolates on Dover Center in Bay Village.  

Finally, when she is home, Chrissy volunteered six hours a week over the past 15 years at Community Resource Services (CRS) which serves over 500 families in Avon and Avon Lake. She volunteers at the front desk and has donated a lot of food over the years. Chrissy serves on the Gala Committee and is involved with the Christmas programming. This organization not only provides food to these families but also provides rental assistance, car repairs, holiday help, and utility and medical assistance. People in need apply and are granted based on their income. CRS takes monetary and food donations and is located at 33479 Lake Road in Avon Lake next to The Dog House Bar & Grill.

Chrissy has helped raise thousands of dollars for CRS and the Village project. She is all about community which is what drove her husband, Darin, and her to Red Tail twenty years ago. Her triplets, Maggie, PJ and Carter have also been involved in the community and some of Chrissy’s volunteer endeavors. They not only volunteered when they were in high school but also when they were home from college. Chrissy finds peace and joy in helping people right here, right now, in her own backyard!