Help Needed for Local Arborist John Petersin

Just hours ago, John Petersin, a local arborist in the St. Croix Valley (Wisconsin), and my dad's best friend, was involved in a tragic accident while working. While 60 feet up in a tree, it snapped and swung back, crushing him in his climbing gear. He’s suffered serious injuries, including a broken hip, and arm, and has severe damage to his forearm.

Despite his pain, John somehow managed to rappel down in small increments, finding the strength to pause and gather himself until he reached the ground. Paramedics could not reach him right away due to heavy debris from fallen branches, but with help from his friend Mike and his chainsaw, they were finally able to get to him. He was rushed to St. Croix Regional Medical Center and then airlifted to Regions Hospital in St. Paul, where he is currently undergoing surgery.

John is a nomad of sorts and has been living around the St. Croix area, he has no health insurance, no permanent home, and now, no ability to work. He has always been someone who helped others in times of need, and now he needs that same support.

This is about coming together for someone who has lost everything—from his income to his stability—all in a matter of hours. John is the type of person who would give you the shirt off his back if the roles were reversed. Any donation, large or small, will go directly to help cover his medical expenses and support his recovery.

Thank you in advance for your generosity. I’ll do my best to keep everyone updated on John’s condition.