Tough harvest bring out the best

Oct 6, 2010 | 8:20 AM

paNews Staff

Even at the worst of times, Saskatchewan people put each other first.

This year’s harvest has been one of the most challenging for farmers with record rains saturating their lands.

Despite this, a Saskatchewan farm family, east of Prince Albert, has a crop to send to market, thanks to a group of neighbours.

About 40 people showed up with their combines and trucks last weekend, to give the Majchrowski family a hand with the harvest.

It’s amazing, it’s overwhelming … I don’t know if there are words that can say anything … I don’t even know how to say it, it’s overwhelming … the support from everybody,” said Frank’s sister in law, Margaret Majchrowski.

The harvest was weighing heavy on the family’s mind after, Frank Majchrowski, 70, was killed in an ATV crash near Weirdale in September.

“The night Frank got killed our neighbour was here and he came to comfort us and he said not to worry because they will take the crop off for us,” said Margaret.

The idea was started by 30-year-old David Gondek, a long-time friend of the family.

“The word kind of spread around that we were going to go there to combine … then people started phoning and before you knew it we had a big harvest crew together,” said Gondek.

Gondek said he feels the respect that the community has for Frank and his brother Bert, 74, was the reason so many people came out to help.

“They’re just wonderful people,” said Gondek.

“Everybody knew that Bert couldn’t have done it by himself so we just set a date and got it done.”

Margaret Majchrowski is grateful for the support.

“I know that they don’t want anything for fuel … it’s hard to find words to thank them,” she said.

bbosker@rawlco.com