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GRANTSVILLE, TOOELE COUNTY — "Thanks for coming!"
Amy Juhasz wished she could say more.
"Thank you!"
But simple thank yous are all she could think of, as people lined up to buy items in a big yard sale she organized.
"We have not had to worry about the turnout at all," Juhasz said as tears appeared underneath her sunglasses. "It has been absolutely incredible."
She and several others set up shop outside the Grantsville Fire Department on Saturday.
Clothes, electronics, books, furniture, and other household items sat on tables as hundreds of people picked through them.
This was more than your ordinary Saturday yard sale, though.
Related:
Steel worker hit by train in Tooele
A box car in Tooele ran over a man operating a tractor at a steel-working company Friday morning.All the money raised from it will go to 33-year-old Jim Hodgson, who lost his leg on Sept. 7.
Hodgson was working at Utah Fabrication in Tooele when he tried to stop a boxcar train using a handbrake.
He slipped and fell under the train.
Even though it wasn't moving very fast, the wheels ran over both his legs.
Doctors had to amputate one, and perform several surgeries on the other.
"I don't know how you deal with something like this," said Hodgson's cousin, Andi Blackmer, "It's so hard and he's been so positive. It's so nice to see so many people just go out of their way to help Jim and his family. I just can't tell you how grateful we are."
Hodgson is married with three children.
He is getting workman's compensation from the accident, but his family says that won't pay for everything.
I don't know how you deal with something like this. It's so hard and he's been so positive.
–- Andi Blackmer, cousin
Hodgson had another surgery Friday, and will have lots of rehabilitation in the future.
"Even after he gets to come home, it's still going to be a long road before he finally gets to be done and there are still a number of surgeries," said Blackmer.
Bill Brandon bought $200 in raffle tickets to help the family.
"It's worth it," said Brandon, "it's going to a great cause."
Family and friends say Hodgson is doing well, and already wants to do things for himself.
"He wanted to put himself in the wheelchair and he wouldn't let anybody wheel him around," said Ben Hardman, Hodgson's best friend. "That's the kind of attitude Jim has."
Judging by how many people went out of their way to come to this yard sale, though, it seems lots of people want to help.
"This is what communities are for," Juhasz said in between thank yous. "This is what communities are supposed to do."
Fore more information on how to help the family, visit their *fundraising website page.
*ksl.com has not verified the accuracy of the information provided with respect to the account nor does ksl.com assure that the monies deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account you should consult your own advisors and otherwise proceed at your own risk.
