By Brian Zanzonico
But that hasn't stopped the Franklin Square teen from raising more than $28,000 to help Yarosh's parents, who have left their jobs to be at their son's bedside in a Texas military hospital.
Yarosh's family lives in upstate Windsor, where Schutz's parents have had a summer home the last eight years. Schutz, a senior at H. Frank Carey High School, learned from family friends in Windsor in September that Yarosh had been injured weeks earlier and was fighting for his life. Several fund-raisers were already underway in Windsor, a town of 6,400 people 20 miles east of Binghamton, but Schutz was already formulating a plan of his own to assist Yarosh's parents, Sherry and Tom.
Schutz's father, Bill, is the owner of Manhattan-based Creative Cakes, Inc., and has deep pocketed clients throughout Long Island and New York City. Bill was a longtime volunteer for Big Brothers and over the years would write some of his customers and raise money for the organization. Schutz took Bill's cue, and wrote 200 letters explaining Yarosh's condition to 200 of his father's customers. Donations have ranged from $10 to $5,000, and $28,000 has been raised thus far.
"I felt the need to do something," Schutz said. "It hits hard when it's so close to home."
Denise Schutz, Erik's mother, said Yarosh's parents were reluctant to accept money from Schutz's fund-raising, insisting they were financially secure despite having to stop working to be in Texas with their son as he runs high fevers, fights infections, and undergoes surgeries for the burns. Due to the nature of his injuries, Yarosh's recovery is expected to take a long time.
"Initially they just wanted prayers and cards," Denise said.
Then the Yaroshes warmed to the idea of this young stranger wanting to raise money for a man he doesn't know.
"He went and did this all on his own," said Sherry Yarosh, who spoke to the Herald while in Texas with her husband and son. "We really were overwhelmed and appreciative."
Sherry Yarosh declined to comment on her son's current condition.
Schutz, who is hoping to attend either Binghamton University or the University at Buffalo and study medicine, attributes his philanthropy to his parents. Since he and his sister were children, his parents got them involved in fund-raisers at St. Andrew's Lutheran Church in West Hempstead for AIDS, Multiple Sclerosis and other afflictions. Coming to the aid of a veteran only seemed natural, he said.
"He was over there fighting for us," Schutz said of Yarosh, whom he hopes to someday meet. "It's the least I can do to help someone like this in need."
Denise said most of the donated money has been delivered to the Yaroshes, and that the fund-raising campaign is still ongoing.
"It's a positive thing to come out of an awful war," Denise said.
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