Bless the Brenner Family

On February 4th, Super Bowl Sunday, my friend Jonny was headed home from the second worship service at the Lancaster County church where he was an associate pastor.  His seventeen year old daughter Lea was with him.  His wife Susan had attended first service and was at home preparing food for a few friends that would come to spend the evening watching the game.   

On the way home from church on snowy roads,  Jonny came upon a vehicular accident – a young man had run off the road and needed help to get out of his vehicle that was nearly flipped over.   Jonny got out to help the man, Lea stayed in the car.   Jonny helped the man out and then, another car came along, lost control on the icy roadway and hit BOTH of them.  Jonny and the young man were both rushed to the hospital.   The young man suffered bumps, bruises, a severely  broken leg and a concussion, but Jonny had to have taken the blunt force of the hit, as he suffered a traumatic brain injury, an ankle injury and other injuries.    The trauma to Jonny's  brain was so significant that he was comatose for over 2 weeks, all this the result of his actions as a Good Samaritan.   Tyler, the Brenner's son flew home from Cedarville University to be with his dad.  

Eventually, as Jonny began to regain consciousness, he was transferred to Reading Rehabilitation Hospital in Wyomissing.   He spent 4 weeks there and then transitioned home as he continued to receive various therapies on an outpatient basis.  Currently he is at home and while he is not completely recovered, has been released from many of his therapies and all his doctors are amazed at his progress.  He does continue to have double vision in one eye and there is talk of surgery to correct that problem.  

From the start, it has been obvious that the Lord saved Jonny for His purposes and His glory.  This man has a story to tell!  Lately, doctors and healthcare professionals have told Susan that they were not necessarily expecting that Jonny would live, let alone come as far as he has in recovery.   They are now saying that he will make a full recovery, but that the process will take about a year.  The Brenner’s church leadership rallied at the hospital the night of the accident and they graciously continued to keep Jonny on the payroll for many months after the accident.  Many friends have been touched by this couple and have been faithful in prayer and support over the course of Jonny’s recovery.  People in the community have wondered how they can help financially, and up to this point, all the family’s needs have been met.   But now comes the real marathon...Jonny is at home, he is getting better each day but he is not employed and the monthly bills continue to come.   Susan is an administrator at a small private Christian school and while that workplace has been extremely supportive, the Brenners rely on both salaries to survive.  If they apply for and receive a disability stipend, it will still be considerable less than what they need to meet their living expenses. 

So then, the purpose of this gofundme account is to cover living expenses for the Brenner family until Jonny is able to again work in a full-time capacity.  Any contribution will help toward the goal and is welcome.   Right now, the financial goal is $30,000 but the campaign will continue on beyond that as the future for this family’s finances is still very much unknown.  This would be an awesome way to honor and bless the Brenner family who have poured their hearts into our community and a great way to be the hands and feet of Christ. Thank you for your consideration.