Pam Gardner looks on as her husband, Mark, holds a check from ALIFT. Gardner, of Ridgway, had just finished cutting a tree when it struck a smaller one, 3 to 4 inches in diameter. As the smaller tree snapped back, it hit Gardner on the right shoulder and pinned him to the ground. A co‑worker cut the tree off him and rushed him to the hospital. He is expected to be out of work for at least 12 weeks. ALIFT provided financial assistance to help the family during his recovery.