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Tough harvest brings out the best in farmers

Oct 5, 2010 | 2:40 PM

Even in the worst of times, Saskatchewan people put others first.

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

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 …. it's just … 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 Frank and his brother Bert, 74, had in the community 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 greatful for the support.

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