Community Reaches Out to Help Local Farming Family After Tragedy

PECONIC, NY — When a member of the community is facing unspeakable loss, the North Fork comes together to lend a hand and open hearts.

Joan Bischoff van Heemskerck created a GoFundMe page, "Chrystal Wesnofske & Kids Benefit," to help a local mom with four children meet daunting expenses after the unexpected death of the children's father.

So far, the page has raised $14,330 of its $15,000 goa.

"Chrystal Wesnofske and Laureano 'Juano' Secaida lived their American Dream on the North Fork in Peconic. With their children Christian, 14, Bianca, 13, Jacob, 6, and Jackson, 3, the family worked in the community and helped Grandpa run the iconic Wesnofske Farm on Route 48 in Peconic," the page reads. "We all saw them in the farmstand as a happy family bursting with joy."

Tragedy struck on Saturday, August 6 when Juano passed away unexpectedly, the page said. He was only 38 years old

"For a couple so young and busy with four children plans for the future seemed so far away," the page said. "We, their friends and colleagues, are asking for your help to contribute what you can to help Chrystal and the children make ends meet as they go forward without their husband and beloved Daddy."