DINWIDDIE COUNTY, Va. -- A mystery man has made a big donation for a woman badly injured in a freak accident on her family's Dinwiddie County farm Mother's Day weekend.
Katy Daniel is facing years of surgeries after a farming accident tore her scalp from her head on May 8.
In the days following the 20-year-old’s ponytail becoming snagged in a piece of equipment, the #KatyStrong hashtag has lit up social media and sparked a series of community event to help fund Daniel's medical bills.
Kyle Daniel told WTVR CBS 6 senior reporter Wayne Covil his sister has a “very long road and tough road” ahead.
“There will be many, many procedures, but she's going to be alright. She’s strong. She’s Katy strong,” Daniel said.
Taylor Daniel, Katy’s twin sister, said the support from the community has been mind-blowing.
Katy Daniel
Donations for Katy
The GoFundMe account for Katy has reached more than $13,000 of the family's $15,000 goal as of Saturday evening.
An anonymous donor said if that goal was reached by May 22, he would match the $15,000 raised. The page hit $15,000 Sunday afternoon and the mystery donor made a $15,000 contribution to the fund.
As of 6 p.m. Sunday evening, 143 donors had raised $30,100 to fund Katy's recovery.
Additionally, a number of community events are being planned to raise money for Katy and collection jars are . nitiaves
In addition to the many social media posts, community members are rallying by selling t-shirts and holding events to support the family.
Jessica Newsom has ordered more #KatyStrong t-shirts after she blew through her original order.
"Well we ordered 50 and they're all sold out,” Newsom said.
Along with the t-shirts, 1,000 #KatyStrong wrist bands were also ordered.
Softball, fishing and corn hole tournaments are being planned. There is also a concert in the works.
All of the money raised from the various initiatives will help pay for the years of surgeries and treatments Katy must endure.
But while the donations are welcome, the family said they are not their main priority.
"It's not about giving anything,” Kyle Daniel, Katy's brother, said. “It’s all about saying a prayer. Prayer is stronger than anything you can give."
Katy and her horse.
Barn Raising for Katy
Dozens of volunteers returned to the scene of the accident Saturday to finish installing a fence to create a pasture for Katy's new horse as well as tackle a number of other projects on the property.
Daniel's older brother, Jason Gupton, said it makes his heart swell that to so many people came out to help the family.
Now Katy no longer has to worry about the fence or her barn.
"It's tough because it is emotional, but it's also just overwhelming because it was just something we wanted to do for Katy" SueAnn Fitts, the owner of Commonwealth Home Improvement, said.
Fitts said when she asked her workers if they wanted to help with the project, all 15 said yes.
Sara Ellis, who gave Katy her horse, said she had one thing in mind Saturday.
"My whole thing was, I didn't want Katy to have to worry about anything when she got home, nothing," Ellis said. "It's going to be all set up, ready for her to go."
Post your well wishes for Katy on the WTVR CBS 6 Facebook page.
