Gerald, left, and Sherry Smalley are shown with the old one-horse sleigh he received from his aunt, Lula Eaton. Their family recently sold the sleigh and donated the funds to help Amish kids with disabilities. Photo provided by Deb Smalley.

By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews

BEAVER DAM — The late Gerald Smalley never let people know the effects of his battle with polio as a young man, said his daughter-in-law, Deb Smalley.

Knowing that his one-horse sleigh was sold to benefit Elkhart and LaGrange County organizations helping kids with disabilities would hold a “special place in his heart,” said Deb.

Gerald’s son Gary Smalley, along with his wife Deb, and Gerald’s daughter Tammy Horn and her boyfriend Brant Nellans sold the sleigh at an auction done by Chupp Auctions and Real Estate of Shipshewana. It fetched $7,500 with the proceeds to go to Crystal Hope Workshop in Middlebury and Caring Hands Workshop in Topeka.

Gerald, of Beaver Dam Lake, was connected to Elkhart and LaGrange County communities through his work with auctions in Shipshewana and Topeka for more than 35 years, said Deb. Thus that’s why the family opted to auction the sleigh off in Shipshewana.

In addition to being involved with auctions, Gerald also raised animals, including zebras, served with Kosciusko County REMC for 12 years, was a Kosciusko County commissioner from 1972-1982, drove a Tippecanoe Valley School Corp. bus and taught Sunday School. That was in spite of his left arm and side being damaged from having polio when he was 19.

Gary said the family decided to sell the sleigh as it’s too large for any of them to keep. The sled given to Gerald by his aunt, Lula Eaton, was used as a decoration by Gerald and his wife Sherry.

The family asked Lyle Chupp with Chupp Auctioneering to give ideas of where money could be donated from the sleigh’s sale, with him suggesting the two organizations. Both nonprofits provide work for Amish kids with special needs.

Deb said the family believed the sleigh in its older condition would only bring in $850. However the sleigh ended up selling and reselling a total of five times, which drew in more funds. People also freely gave donations, leading to the $7,500 total.

“Gerald would obviously like to help the local community and local kids,” said Deb of how he would feel of the money going to the nonprofits.

She added the sleigh was also auctioned off in memory of Sherry.

“(She) went with (Gerald) many, many times (to the auctions) because she also loved the community,” said Deb.

If people would like to donate to either nonprofit themselves, they may send funds to Crystal Hope Workshop, 60534 CR 43, Middlebury, IN 46540, or Caring Hands Workshop, C/O Wayne Yoder, 1605 S. 900W, Topeka, IN 46571.