When a tragedy strikes, communities pull together.
That is what Rob Unsworth and Karen Bertin are hoping will continue, as they coordinate a community effort to support the Streicher family.
Shortly after midnight on June 6, Mark and Susan Streicher and eight of their children were injured when their horse and buggy was struck from behind on Highway 9 close to the family’s home near Clifford, as they returned home from a wedding.
No charges have been laid in connection with the accident, but police say they are still investigating the crash.
The driver of the vehicle and the Streichers’ horse were not injured but everyone in the buggy, which was completely demolished, was hurt.
Two children, aged four and six, remained in hospital in critical but stable condition, until last weekend. The four year-old child was released while the other child remains in Hamilton but has been removed from the ICU.
“They are thankful to God that nobody died,” said Unsworth, who is speaking on behalf of the family. “They’re overwhelmed by how much money it will cost them, in medical expenses.”
He added the accident scene required several ambulances, two helicopters and four hospitals, including Hamilton and London. The costs are ongoing.
“The family will have amazing medical expenses,” said Bertin, noting that as members of the Amish community, the Streicher’s have no medical insurance and do not receive OHIP (Ontario Health Insurance Plan) coverage.
“Even within their own community, there is limited resources,” Bertin said.
“It’s even more difficult because this is one particular family. It’s not spread out over several. The vast majority of an entire family was involved,” Bertin said, noting the family includes 13 people.
She confirmed the six year-old child, currently in a Hamilton, required surgery for three fractures to a leg, while the four-year-old, now released from a London hospital, experienced breathing issues.
Bertin explained that because the family does not use automobiles, they have had to rely on neighbours to transport them to both hospitals, which has required a network of community members to coordinate travel.
“A lot of neighbours have been over to help and are driving them to the hospital,” said Unsworth.
He has coordinated a bank account through the CIBC branch in Harriston, where the public can make financial donations to help support the medical costs.
The account number is 6179 193 and the branch number is 01252.
“When I told Mark I wanted to help, he told me he wasn’t worthy of it,” said Unsworth, who says it was his friend’s humble nature that encouraged him to be more active in helping the family.
Unsworth said many in the community know Mark Streicher as an organic farmer.
“When [the Minto market] originally opened in Clifford, Mark was one of the first vendors, and we were vendors at the same time,” Unsworth said.
Their families have been connected in some way ever since.
“Mark is an organic farmer. He has produce and raises pigs and does a lot of direct sales for produce direct from his farm,” Unsworth said. “He wants to do what’s best for his farm and his family.”
Plans are underway to hold a community event, a benefit dinner and auction in the weeks to come.
“The Town of Minto is graciously donating the hall for whatever day, whatever we do,” said Unsworth.
“That’s a $500 donation. I can’t ask for more from the town.”
Unsworth expects to have the plans confirmed later next week. In the meantime, he said women in the Amish community are crafting quilts and other goods to contribute to the auction.
“I’m hoping to be surrounded by men in my community who are willing to jump in, as upstanding men in our community, to support me, and women in the community too,” said Unsworth, adding he is open to ideas to help raise funds.
“We just hope that the people who have been touched by Mark will come back and touch him,” said Unsworth. “Nobody deserves this.”
To get involved, contact Rob Unsworth at 519-291-7840 or 519-502-3178.
