Dear Family and Friends,
We are reaching out with a heavy heart to ask for your help in supporting our beloved family members. On Friday, June 13th the Hammersberg family of Sandpoint, ID (Mike, Randi, and Miki) were a few hours into their two-week summer vacation when they were involved in a devastating accident. Their SUV was struck by another vehicle attempting to pass them at a high rate of speed on a highway in Montana. The impact sent their vehicle airborne. Tragically, Mike was killed upon impact, Randi was thrown from the vehicle with multiple critical injuries and was airlifted to St. Patrick’s in Missoula. She will have months of recovery and rehabilitation ahead. Miki was partially ejected from the vehicle and was found by rescuers trapped under the car. She sustained life-threatening injuries and was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, the region’s Level 1 Trauma center. She has been listed in critical condition and has undergone multiple surgeries on an almost daily basis. She will have months of hospitalization, additional surgeries, and long-term rehabilitation after discharge. The family’s two dachshunds, Ostara and Kai, survived the crash. One required emergency surgery but both are expected to make a full recovery. Two additional pets did not survive the accident.
For over 40 years, the Hammersberg family has poured their heart into their family business, the Image Maker. They found it a privilege to preserve your family memories and life stories through film – exceptional customer service was their mission. Given their inability to work for the foreseeable future, they will have no source of income to cover their expenses. As many of you know, Miki recently completed her licensure as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) specializing in trauma and therapeutic services and was set to launch her private practice in July. Her business dream is now on hold, indefinitely.
As they fight to recover physically and emotionally, while separated by 400+ miles, Randi and Miki are facing an overwhelming financial burden – Life Flight to Seattle, medical bills, transportation of Mike’s body back to Sandpoint, burial costs, monthly COBRA medical insurance beginning July 1 for Miki, mortgage/rent, veterinary surgical bills, and daily pet care costs (dogs, cats, horse, etc.), to name a few of the immediate needs. Longterm, there will be ongoing rehabilitation costs and assisted living expenses for both Randi and Miki. Our heartfelt thanks go out to their amazing friends, family, and co-workers in the greater Sandpoint area who have stepped in to assist with the immediate home and pet care needs.
The Hammersberg’s need our help more than ever. If you are able, any contribution – big or small – would make a meaningful difference. Even just sharing this message with people you know will help. Thank you for taking a moment to consider giving. Your kindness and generosity mean everything to them right now.
With gratitude,
The Hammersberg/McCroskey extended families
P.S. Notes of encouragement on this page will be shared with Randi and Miki.
