Help Stavros Makris Recover From a Life-Threatening Accident

On August 29, my good friend Stavros Makris suffered a devastating and life-threatening accident after falling from a roof.

My name is Devin Haughey, and I’m organizing this fundraiser to help Stavros through what is going to be an incredibly difficult and potentially very long recovery.

Stavros grew up in Chatham, New Jersey and now lives in Westfield. He’s one of the hardest-working people I know. I’ve personally known and worked alongside him for years. He’s worked with us at Haughey Brothers Landscaping and our outdoor lighting company, and more recently took the leap into entrepreneurship and started his own business.

While on a roof, Stavros fell and landed directly onto a railing.

The railing impaled him through his side.

The impact punctured his lung and caused severe trauma to his chest and ribs, including broken and dislocated ribs. His injuries were so critical that emergency responders had him airlifted by helicopter to the hospital for immediate treatment.

This wasn’t a minor fall or an injury where he’ll be home and back to normal in a few days.

Stavros suffered major traumatic injuries and is now undergoing multiple surgeries. He could potentially remain hospitalized for several weeks, followed by what is expected to be a significant recovery process after he’s finally able to return home.

Right now, the full timeline of that recovery isn’t even known.

For someone like Stavros, who makes his living working with his hands and has poured everything into starting and building his own company, an accident of this magnitude changes everything overnight.

Beyond the emergency helicopter transport, surgeries, hospital care, specialists, medications, follow-up treatment and potential rehabilitation, Stavros is also facing an extended period where he simply will not be able to work normally or run his business the way he did before the accident.

The financial impact could be enormous.

That’s why I’m asking our community to come together for him.

Anyone who knows Stavros knows the kind of person he is. He’s hardworking, generous with his time, and constantly willing to help somebody else. He’s been involved in many of our contractor and Christmas lighting trainings, and I’ve watched him go out of his way countless times to answer questions and help other people succeed.

He’s the kind of guy who would show up for somebody else without thinking twice.

Right now, Stavros is the one who needs people to show up for him.

The goal of this fundraiser is to take as much financial pressure off Stavros as possible so that his focus can be on surviving this ordeal, healing from his injuries, and eventually getting his life and business back on track.

Every donation matters.

Whether it’s $10, $25, $50, $100 or more, when a community comes together, those donations add up incredibly quickly.

And if you aren’t able to donate, please share this fundraiser. Getting Stavros’ story in front of more people can make just as much of a difference.

All funds raised will go toward helping Stavros with the medical, recovery, living and other financial expenses resulting from this accident, including the loss of income while he’s unable to work.

Stavros has an incredibly difficult road ahead of him.

But he doesn’t have to go through it alone.

He’s spent years working hard, building his future and helping the people around him.

Now it’s our turn to help him.

Thank you to everyone who donates, shares this fundraiser, reaches out to Stavros and his family, or keeps him in their thoughts during the weeks and months ahead.

— Devin Haughey