As a coach of Tim Mellema, myself and others are heartbroken for the families catastrophe for their home and personal belongings and more importantly for the heroic, movie-like story of how Tim Mellema was able to help his family escape the fast moving flooding at their home in Globe, Arizona.

While the cover photo is of a happier time for Tim and his father Han, the story that was unveiled during the destruction on Friday, September 26 was frightening, awe inspiring, and courageous. To persevere through such drama can only force any normal human being to want to help support them.

As the family was eating dinner at their home in Globe, they could hear the rain and kept updated to weather forecasts of heavy rain and the potential of flooding. However nobody predicted the natural disaster that would follow. They happen to live downhill from a mountain and near a creek bed that is normally dry. Faster than they could realize, the water began entering their home and had gotten to the point that they could not get out of the house through the front door as the water pressure prevented it from opening. Tim who is about 6'2" broke a window with his fist that was high on the wall to climb out and get the family out. During the process of climbing out, he severely cut his right arm severing an artery, nerves, bicep and tricep. Filled with adrenaline he was unsure how severely he cut his arm as they evacuated and ran towards higher ground in the darkness and knee to waist deep water. Sister, Mother, and Father were able to escape and called out to Tim as he led their way up the hill. Luckily, a nurse was driving her car and Tim caught her attention and immediately was able to apply a make-shift tourniquet to slow the bleeding. Local Hospital was able to take him in but first thought of amputation. The family decided to medivac via helicopter to Phoenix Children's Hospital in hopes of a better outcome.

The details and pictures of the devastation in their house cannot begin to capture what this family is going through. Father Han and Mother Lieneke have told me so many details of what seems like a horror movie and I can't imagine the thoughts as a parent myself to go through this.

How do I know this kid and family??? They have come to our youth soccer club to look for a more competitive environment to allow Tim to follow his passion of advancing in playing soccer. They would drive 1.5 hours each way three to four times a week with the dedicated parents wanting to help Tim pursue his dreams.

Sunday I went to visit Tim who is in recovery. Hoping to cheer his spirits up I have brought him Soccer Jerseys and gear that doesn't mean the same to me as it will be for him who has lost so much. He has another surgery on Wednesday to follow up his emergency procedures over the weekend in hopes of repairing nerve damage.

This family and Tim need your help. Besides irreplaceable belongings and emotional distress, this family will have insurmountable bills and we as a community can help them chip away at what is a future financial struggle. We are raising funds to help with medical bills, food, help in a temporary place to stay, clothing, and so many things that can assist their difficult next steps. IF you cannot give $, please consider contacting me directly to help donate clothing, food, etc. I have a Non Profit called East Valley Youth Soccer & Athletics that can help coordinate anything to help this family.

I (Derek Yen) can be reached through this site if there is anything you can help with or if I can answer any questions. Your human kindness and generosity to help this family is greatly appreciated.

Help get this family back to a happier time please!