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 my longtime friend Stavros Makris 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 underwent multiple surgeries. His injuries required extensive medical treatment, and his recovery is expected to be a long and challenging process.

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.

How the Donations Will Be Used

I’m organizing this fundraiser as Stavros’ longtime friend and former coworker. Stavros Makris is the sole beneficiary of this fundraiser.

All donations will go directly toward helping Stavros with the financial challenges resulting from his accident and recovery.

Specifically, the funds will help cover:

Medical expenses: Hospital bills, emergency helicopter transportation, surgeries, specialist appointments, medications, and other medical treatment.

Rehabilitation and recovery: Physical therapy, follow-up appointments, rehabilitation services, and any necessary recovery-related equipment.

Living expenses: Housing costs, utilities, groceries, transportation, and other essential expenses while Stavros is unable to work.

Lost income and business-related financial obligations: Helping Stavros stay financially stable while recovering from his injuries and being unable to operate his business normally.

The goal is to relieve as much financial pressure as possible so Stavros can focus on healing rather than worrying about how he’s going to cover his expenses.

How the Funds Will Reach Stavros

My name is Devin Haughey, and I am personally organizing and managing this fundraiser on behalf of Stavros Makris.

All donations raised through this GoFundMe will be deposited directly into Stavros Makris’ personal bank account.

I am simply helping organize the fundraiser, spread awareness, and coordinate support from our community. I will not be personally receiving or keeping any of the donated funds.

Stavros will have direct access to the donations and will use them to cover medical bills, rehabilitation, everyday living expenses, and other financial obligations resulting from his accident and inability to work.

Every dollar raised is intended to support Stavros and help him get back on his feet.

How You Can Help

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.

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 his recovery.

— Devin Haughey