When a fire started in the combine that he was using to harvest the crops on his farm in North Dakota, the farmer attempted to put it out but suffered a serious heart attack in the process.
After being admitted to the hospital due to his heart becoming too frail, Lane Unhjem was forced to leave his crops unharvested, which would have been a severe loss for his family both personally and financially.
But as one of his pals once said, “you reap what you sow.” A group of 40 to 50 people from adjacent farms assisted Unhjem, who formed strong bonds with the locals in the Crosby area, in harvesting a total of 1,000 acres of crops in just under seven hours.
Continue reading to find out how a group of farmers banded together to save a friend!
On his farm in North Dakota, Lane Unhjem was harvesting durum wheat and canola in September 2020 when the combine caught fire.
Grandpa Unhjem, who was attempting to put out the fire and save it from burning his crops, experienced a “major heart attack” while doing so. He was rushed to the hospital, where his family claims he received treatment for a damaged kidney as well. Unhjem was placed on the kidney transplant waiting list after beginning dialysis and was hospitalized under close care.
Back at home, the community came together to help the family, and the kindness of their actions prompted a surge in interest among internet users all over the world.
Everyone is familiar with the Unhjem family, and they are nice neighbors and members of the community. It’s also sort of the farming way of life, according to everyone. When your neighbor needs anything, you give it to them without expecting anything in return.
Friend of the family Jenna Binde spoke to KFYR TV about local news. I spoke with a few farms and obtained their equipment, and then other people immediately started calling, offering us equipment from all across the area along with their staff.
Because of their willingness to work together, neighbors postponed their own harvesting needs and came to Unhjem’s land to finish the job.
You get what you sow, right? That old proverb can be used to describe a variety of situations in life. Today, it refers to both gathering crops and lending a hand to friends. Don Anderson, a friend, says on his Facebook.
As is customary in small-town life, Lane’s friends and neighbors sprung into action as soon as his health was taken care of. At the Unhjem farm, about 40 to 50 farmers arrived with combines, grain carts, semis, and other harvest-related equipment, and they will handle Lane’s and his family’s crop today. About a dozen combines, I think, were involved.
The plan was carried out in less than 48 hours, according to Anderson, who also noted that machinery “knocked off 1000 acres in just over 7 hours.”
The social media posts went viral very quickly.
“It’s what America was built on-neighbors helping neighbors,” writes a man from Kansas, and “Awesome neighbors,” adds a netizen from South Africa. If only the whole world would care about each other like this, what a lovely world it would be!”
The daughter of Unhjem, Samantha Coates, expressed admiration for the community’s efforts by posting images and a heartfelt thank you on Facebook. She posted the picture online with the caption: “Days after my dad was admitted to the hospital.”
“Thanks a million times over for everything, everyone!Here are just a handful of the pictures I managed to take in the midst of all. We are so appreciative of your help, prayers, and all else you have done that I am at a loss for words. What a wonderful group of compassionate folks we have here!”
People from many walks of life sent encouragement and prayers.
Coming from a farming background, one adds that these photos are priceless and will be cherished for a very long time. Another person says, “This is so great. I enjoy learning about the cooperation in my hometown. I’m praying for you and your family a lot.
The sentiment “Neighbors helping Neighbors, it is a humbling sight” is shared by a third.
On Tuesday, November 24, the family shared an update about Unhjem via a prior GoFundMe (created to help with Unhjem’s high hospital bill’s payment).
“We learned that they had a heart and kidney donor who was an exact match for Lane! As a result, Lane underwent heart surgery late on Wednesday night. The heart transplant went quite well, and on Thanksgiving morning the surgeons brought him back to begin the kidney operation. Saying that we had a thankful Thanksgiving doesn’t do justice to the feelings that day that we were all experiencing.
According to posts on family social media, Unhjem spent 108 days in the hospital before being discharged and given frequent consultations to evaluate his kidney and heart functions and check for any signs of rejection. And right now, it seems like he’s getting better!
What a wonderful story! It is such a lovely thing when people come together to support someone who stands to lose so much.
We are thankful that there are individuals like these in the world, and we anticipate that by sharing their story, others may be inspired to take similar action.
