Fundraiser for Hansmeier

CRESCO - Something can be said for living in a small community. One often finds a place where “family,” isn’t contained to just being related by blood, but also includes friends and neighbors. Families, immediate or not, rise up to help when one of their members is hurt. 

So is the case of Shaina Hansmeier, age 10, daughter of Denise and Jeremy Hansmeier, and the Driftrunners Snowmobile Club. The Driftrunners will be holding a fundraiser to help Shaina’s family after she was involved in a snowmobile accident in early December.

On Saturday, Dec. 10, Shaina had a one-person snowmobile accident. She was transported to St. Marys Hospital in Rochester, Minn., where she underwent immediate surgery to relieve pressure on her brain and stop the bleeding caused by the accident. 

Shaina came out of surgery “like a fighter,” but that was not all that needed the attention of the medical staff. She also had a broken nose, broken ribs, a broken left wrist and fractured vertebrae in her lower back. Additionally her right elbow was dislocated and broken. On Thursday, Dec. 15, Shaina underwent another surgery to fix her elbow.  

On Jan. 8, with recovery well underway, she was moved to rehabilitation to continue the healing process.

She came home to her family on Friday, Jan. 27, with doctor’s orders, “No visitors for the first 10 days” so Shaina’s brain and body can continue to heal and adjust to her environment.  Her short-term and long-term memory improves every day.

Shaina is back to school this week for a few hours, three days a week. She will also continue her rehabilitation at St. Marys Hospital.

In respect and wanting to help Shaina and her family, the Driftrunners Snowmobile Club donated $500. Donation buckets were also available during Snowfest weekend.

The Club will continue to help by hosting a fundraiser on Feb. 11 during the hours of 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. during Charlie’s Chili Feed, which is held at the "warming bin” on the trail from Cresco to Florenceville/Granger. Chili, brats and beverages will be provided for a free-will donation. The alternate location will be Jo's Longbranch in Florenceville for unrideable trail conditions.

This annual event, located in a wooded area south of Granger, welcomes riders and donations to help the Hansmeier Family.

Raffle tickets are available for $5.00 each before the feed and can be obtained from Tanya Riehle (563-203-1911), Kelly Moellers or at the Times Plain Dealer office.