Fund Grows for Grocer Injured by Teen Robbers

It started as an idea in the wake of a tragedy. Two local businesswomen were talking about how to help Yong Yang after he was robbed and beaten as he got into his delivery van at the end of the day at

says it has grown into a community effort to help one member of village cope with what the robbers took from him. , it is the loss of sight in Yang's left eye that has changed his life, his business and his family for months to come, and possibly for ever.

Good News out of Bad

In less than a month generous business owners, customers, neighbors and countless people who have never "Mr. Yang" (as everybody calls him) have donated about $20,000 to help pay his expenses that aren't covered by his Medicare insurance.

Monday Cuthbert posted an update on the Sweet Jazmines Pastry Shop Facebook page. It reads:

"If I told you that we have raised almost $20,000 for Mr. Yang's recovery, would you believe me? I am in awe of the kindness and generosity that you have shown Mr. Yang. This is a wonderful community and I feel blessed and lucky to be a part of something so special. This has been a collective effort between the residents and the business owners of Berwyn and the surrounding towns. It truly takes a village!"

The blow broke his eyeglasses and left him blinded in his left eye. He underwent six hours of surgery to repair the damaged eye. Yang's daughter told Patch recently that he won't know for about six months whether he will regain full sight in his left eye. In the meantime he is left unable to drive, which had been a critical part of his daily business routine.

Yang's Market is open for business and employees are filling in while Yang recuperates.

You can stop in at Sweet Jazmines Pastry Shop next to the Berwyn Fire Company to donate to the fund for Yang.