On the evening of Friday, July 3, our dear friend Dan Nelson, owner of Northland Neon, and his girlfriend were both shot by a stranger in their own front yard. Before he was shot, Dan was violently shoved, suffering broken ribs and a broken collarbone. He was then shot three times. Dan was rushed to the hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery. We are incredibly grateful that he has since been upgraded from critical to stable condition, but he still has a long road to recovery ahead.

Just a few months ago, Dan underwent back surgery after living with chronic pain. Last week, he was finally cleared to return to work. After months of recovery, things were finally looking up. He was excited to get back into the shop, fulfill orders, and do what he loves most. Tragically, everything changed in an instant.

Anyone who knows Dan knows what an incredible person he is. He has worked tirelessly throughout his life, overcoming hardship after hardship with determination and resilience. He turned his passion for glass blowing into Northland Neon, a small business that has created countless beautiful custom signs seen throughout our community and beyond. Because of his injuries, Dan will be unable to work for the foreseeable future. As a small business owner, that means no income while medical bills and everyday expenses continue to grow.

We're asking for your support to help ease the financial burden during this incredibly difficult time. Donations will go toward lost income, mounting medical expenses, and helping keep Northland Neon going while Dan focuses on healing. If you're unable to donate, please consider sharing this fundraiser. Every contribution, every share, and every message of support means more than words can express.

Thank you for standing with Dan during one of the darkest moments of his life. We believe in his strength, and we know that with the love of this community behind him, he'll one day be back doing what he loves—bringing light into the world, one beautiful sign at a time.