John Kuhr is the husband of Linda Kuhr, who operates LindaK’s Crochet at the market. Linda Kuhr has designed handmade crocheted items for the past four years.
According to the ALS Association, ALS destroys motor neurons, which causes an individual to lose control of body movement. The disease affects around 16,000 Americans between the ages of 40 and 70 at any given time.
For a year and a half, Linda Kuhr tried to find out what was causing John Kuhr his troubles.
“The people at the farmer’s market have really seen the decline,” Linda Kuhr said. “He was walking, and then he began having trouble walking, and now he’s in a wheelchair.”
John Kuhr used to help bring the six containers of crocheted afghans, blankets, animals, and hats; set up the table, and do the occasional store run for more yarn. Now, Linda Kuhr has to place her products in her car and set up her own vendor station.
Linda Kuhr has been crocheting since she was 12, when her aunt taught her how to make afghans. She would later donate crocheted hats to a local church, and her daughter told her the operation would be a good business. She began selling her products at the winter market in 2015 under no name before naming her company LindaK’s Crochets that summer.
The idea for a fundraiser came from farmer’s market marketing director Kristina Hudson soon after John Kuhr’s diagnosis.
The farmer’s market has come together before to help its members. Hudson was diagnosed with Leukemia two years ago, and the market collected funds to help with medical expenses.
“We try to make the market feel like a community, for family,” Hudson said. “We have an extended family of clients.”
Hudson has organized additional activities like a raffle and ring toss with items to purchase such as stuffed animals and name bracelets. The winner of the raffle will receive $50 of “market bucks,” which can be used at any of the vendor stations.
“The ALS Association has been very helpful,” Linda Kuhr said. “They helped get us a diagnosis and connect us to the VA.”
The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) provides for the medical expenses of John Kuhr, who served in the Military police in Germany between 1966 and 1977.
The West Chester Farmer’s Market will have its summer market every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. until Sept. 28. It is located on the square off Union Center Boulevard, near the MidPoint Library.
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