Support for the Elkind Family

Hello, the Redmond Smokejumper Welfare Organization is starting this fundraiser on behalf of Smokejumper and Wildland Firefighter Ben Elkind after he sustained a pelvic fracture on a parachute training jump.

Ben began this fire season as a student, learning how to use a new parachute system to access remote fires in the backcountry. He was doing great and progressing well, however near the end of the training, Ben took a hard landing in a challenging jumpspot. After being quickly evacuated Ben arrived at the hospital and it was determined that he had a dislocated hip and a pelvic fracture. The doctors took him into surgery and found 6 fractures, placing 3 plates and 10 screws in order to fix the damage.

Ben has been a Smokejumper for the US Forest Service based in Redmond, OR for nine years and worked in fire as a member of the Zig-Zag Hotshots before jumping. He rookied in Redding, CA, in 2014 then transferred to Redmond in 2015 to be closer to home and his family.

Ben and his wife Amber have two boys, ages 4 and 1. Ben is a dedicated father, husband and firefighter. He is passionate about supporting wildland firefighters and has advocated for change, working on getting firefighters fair pay and benefits.

Ben has a long road to recovery and will be unable to work for a significant length of time and will be missing out on the overtime that so many wildland firefighters depend on to make a living. We are starting this GoFundMe in order to help Ben and his family through this tough time. Please consider donating to help a firefighter and his family while they support each other on the road to recovery.

Thank You!