Help Geoffrey Ballard Recovery from a Hit and Run

On September 3, 2023, Geoffrey was walking home from dinner when he was struck by a motorcycle who was splitting lanes and ran a red light. He had just returned from hiking nearly 2,000 miles on the Appalachian Trail and was one day away from the school year starting, only to be very seriously injured in the violent hit-and-run, leaving him unable to work and support himself. Donations would help cover medical expenses through his lengthy recovery ahead.

Geoff is a highly energetic, artistic, dog-dad and an active member in his community.

Growing up in the rural hills between Penn Yan and Dundee in Yates County, New York, Geoffrey has always lived a very active life. As a child, he was largely involved in youth sports of every season, played for the school teams, and continued to play sports at the collegiate level later on. When not on the court or ball field, Geoffrey can almost always be found outside. Whether roaming the woods with beloved pets, admiring wildlife and nature, biking, hiking, or camping, the outdoors is certainly preferred. In addition to the multitudes of physical activities, Geoffrey also has strong interest and talent in art.

While in high school, he studied graphic design at Wayne Finger Lakes BOCES. Afterwards, he followed his heart and attended the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, receiving an associates degree in graphic design. Since then he has taken up sketching and painting, and has had his artwork on display and for sale at a few art shows in the Finger Lakes region over the years.

Geoffrey returned to Dundee to continue his education and enrolled in a local community college in pursuit of a teaching career, all while returning to his love of physical activity as a member of the FLCC men's basketball team for two semesters. The following year, Geoffrey transferred to St. John Fisher University, where he enrolled in their childhood education program with a focus in American history. He also became a walk-on for Fisher's football team, playing for 2 seasons before graduating. While attending SJFU, Geoffrey would return back home for hunting season or to help referee or coach some of the programs that helped in his own athletic development.

Upon graduating from SJFU, he returned to his childhood home once again, supporting his community as a substitute teacher, coach, and volunteer. During the school year, Geoffrey worked as a resource advocate for Head Start in Penn Yan and continued to coach various athletic teams at Dundee Central School. Eventually, the calling was too great to deny and Geoffrey returned to college to obtain a master's degree in physical education and invest in his future career.

He completed his master’s program at Canisius University before moving to Syracuse to help care for his grandparents, work as a NYS lifeguard at Green Lakes State Park, and teach swimming lessons at Gold’s Gym. Eventually he moved to Rochester where he has resided and worked since.

Over the past ten years, Geoffrey has worked in physical education and as a coach for students in the Rochester schools. He currently works as the K-6 physical education teacher at Eugenio Maria de Hostos Charter School and supports the 21st Century Extended Learning Time program as an enrichment teacher. He also spends his summers traveling back to the Finger Lakes renovating and restoring a one-room schoolhouse on his family’s property. Barrington Schoolhouse #10 dates back to the 1850s and Geoffrey is working to bring a piece of history back to Yates County.

This past March, he set out on a brand new adventure—hiking the Appalachian Trail, a 2,200 mile trek from Georgia to Maine! By the second week in August, he had made it to the Hundred Mile Wilderness in Maine and was just 118 miles from completing the entire trail. In order to retain his teaching position and be properly prepared for the upcoming school year, Geoffrey made the tough decision to return to Rochester and finish the remaining part of the trail next summer. This decision was also impacted by finances, as he spent nearly all of his savings over the previous six months pursuing his dream of hiking the AT and filling his soul. Unfortunately, this is where the story takes an unexpected turn for the worst.

Geoffrey returned back to Rochester and his teaching position, preparing for another successful year with his students. After completing two weeks of professional development, a long weekend separated him from the first day of school. After spending the weekend cleaning up, completing yard work, and preparing for the first day of school, Geoffrey walked from his home, to the crosswalk, and across Ridge Road in Greece, NY to have dinner. At approximately 8pm, he was returning home on that same route when 3 motorcycles ran through a red light at the crosswalk. The third bike hit him and all of them took off. He is now the victim of a motorcycle hit and run accident.

Geoffrey was taken to Strong Hospital and immediately taken to surgery to save his leg. His right leg was shattered, broken in six places and held together with a metal rod after surgery. He obtained five broken ribs, two broken thumbs, and multiple lacerations on his face and shoulder. After spending a week a Strong, Geoffrey was released to go home, but the struggle isn't over. He is facing more surgery, a significantly longer recovery time, and a multitude of potential complications as he continues to heal. He is unable to work with his current injuries as he heals.

Geoffrey heals at home in Rochester with loving company of his two best doggie pals, Ruger and Phineas, and tremendous support from his mother and roommate. We are asking for help with medical expenses accrued through his tragic accident and injury that are a part of his care and long term well-being, and would truly appreciate any and all donations so much. In addition to cost of living (which is hindered by loss of wages due to inability to work at this time), ambulance transportation, and a hospital stay, Geoffrey has had and will continue to have many appointments with doctors in the fields of trauma, burn, orthopedics, and physical therapy, as well as undergone two surgeries already with at least one more in his future. We ask that you please help Geoff by donating to this cause, which will lend a hand in paying for these extensive medical expenses. If donation is not a possibility for you, please share this fundraiser and pray for Geoffrey to wish him well as he recovers.