After Mark's accident on Feb 4 (details below if you have not heard) his main concern, of course, was not for his own injuries, but for his family and the sustainability of their farm and family business , SimpleCoop Organics   Farming is a process that requires constant attention. While Mark is having surgery and recovering from his injuries (which the doctors predict will take several months) life on the farm continues.  The Hands' community has rallied around them already, providing wood to heat their home, helping with childcare and meals and stepping in to care for the chickens and other animals, but it will take constant and consistent care and attention to ensure that the farm stays sustainable while Mark recovers.  This fund will help with the immediate needs of the family as well as the work and expense it will require to keep the farm running smoothly and on schedule for the coming growing season.  



From Lindsay's post about the accident: Yesterday morning, February 4, our precious Mark was involved in a freak accident while felling a tree. The incredible fire department in our small town was on the scene in a matter of minutes, for which we are so thankful. It was decided he be taken to Albany for treatment, as his injuries were assessed as more significant than the nearby hospitals could provide. En route to the hospital, Mark took a grave turn and the highway was shut down to allow for a helicopter to get him to Albany in 9 minutes instead of an hour and twenty minutes. He was touch and go for quite a while, but he was in phenomenal care here and the team was able to stabilize his life-threatening injuries about 5 hours after the initial insult. Here we are at 27 hours post-accident, and here is what we have at the moment: He broke 3 of the 4 'branches' for the pelvis, plus an area in the back of it. This will require a surgery to repair once he is a bit more stable, probably next week. A couple of his ribs are 'displaced', and most on his left side have multiple breaks. Also a couple fractures in his lumbar spine. His left lung has a contusion. His bladder is ruptured, but in an area that will probably not require surgery. They say he'll be hospitalized a few weeks, and recovery will be months with physical therapy. Sorry if any of this is repeat, I'm trying to recap what I know. Emotionally, he is feeling extremely stressed out about providing for the family and missing the children for so long. He is still in excruciating pain and will be on narcotics for some time. A friend from Cincy came and is a wonderful help.

Our tiny local community here in New York, in which we know only a few people, has inundated us with their selfless giving: food, firewood, gift cards, child care, farm care, you name it. And our Cincinnati family hasn't forgotten us either, and brought us to our knees in humility. People are dropping everything and running to us, putting their own lives on hold to uplift us. St. Johnsville and Cincinnati, you are are the body of Christ right now. We feel so undeserving, and couldn't be more grateful and humbled and amazed.