Help Madison (Cermak) and Griffin Through this Tough Time

Hello Tourism Industry Family!

Reaching out to the travel and tourism industry to ask for your help in supporting a fellow industry professional in need.

Madison Cermak, Director of Sales at Visit Oneida County, NY, is in need of assistance. She and her husband, Griffin Kleps, joyously celebrated the birth of their first child, a son, Kameron, on July 24th. Just five weeks later, Griffin fell off a roof he was working on and broke his back and both hands.

Griffin is in a full clamshell brace for the next four to six months. He cannot lift, bend, or twist. He will see a neurosurgeon once a month for an x-ray to make sure his spine is staying in place and healing properly. If it's not, he may be faced with back surgery.

On September 20th, Griffin underwent surgery on both of his hands and now has hard casts on both hands for the next 8 to 10 weeks. Then he will move into hand splints for several more weeks. Griffin will be faced with extensive physical and occupational therapy after his injuries heal.

Griffin is a self-employed custom building contractor. He will be out of work for at least six months (or more) with no income and no worker's compensation. Madison is on PFL maternity leave from Visit Oneida County, caring for their newborn and now caring for Griffin.

Your generosity in helping Madison and Griffin with a financial donation is greatly appreciated. Even a small gift will be helpful as they are faced with dramatically reduced and lost income for an extended period of time. Your assistance will help with everyday expenses and mounting medical bills.

Please keep them in your hearts and prayers. Thank you for helping a fellow tourism professional through an extraordinary and challenging situation.