WASHINGTON — In the face of a farm family’s crisis, their neighbors have come together to help them through it.

Charlie Records, 52, of Newberry, who farms with his father, Joe, of Plainville, is recuperating at Wishard Hospital in Indianapolis after being seriously injured in a silo accident three weeks ago. Knowing Charlie wouldn’t be home in time for harvest, local farmers volunteered their time and equipment Thursday to harvest and haul a portion of the Records’ 1,200 acres.

“We had 11 combines and probably 30 trucks hauling it,” friend and farmer Mike Sprinkle said afterward. “In just a little over six hours time, they harvested over 700 acres. Everything was all wrapped up by 3:30 today. It was a great effort.”

He said the acreage is part of the family’s Plainville farm; another 500 acres near Newberry aren’t quite ready yet and will be brought in later.

More than 70 people were involved in the effort, according to Sprinkle. He said all the guys who did the harvesting are from the Plainville area, but some of the haulers brought their trucks from as far as Monroe City and Vincennes.

Marv Knepp, manager at Boyd Grain in Plainville, said Boyd’s had trucks on standby, but they weren’t needed. Arrangements were made through Boyd’s to accept the grain, and Knepp said there was a steady stream of trucks through the elevator all day hauling what he estimated would amount to about 100,000 bushels of corn.

“The goodness of people’s hearts,” he said, shaking his head in awe. “I just can’t say enough about it.”

Boyd’s dispatcher Dave Chestnut said everyone was patient and helpful. Knepp agreed, adding that two trucks went off the scales and had to be pulled out, but everyone jumped in to help — including Molly, a boxer dog who oversees the operation — and no one got frustrated.

Iron Kettle owner Letha Stoll made meals that were delivered to the workers by Bill and Connie Fuller of CPS Fertilizer in Switz City. Individuals unable to help in the fields continue to make donations to offset some of the food costs.

“I think it was nice for Letha to donate the meals,” said Karie Pearce, who works at Boyd’s.

Knepp added: “I’m guessing she fed close to 75 people today. That was a big deal on her part.”

Though Stoll said she and her staff made 70 dinners of fried chicken, baked beans, potato wedges, slaw, and cherry delight by 11 a.m., she stressed it wasn’t just her. Besides the monetary donations, she said Pepsi donated 150 cans of soda, and Bill Spaulding donated 150 Little Debbie treats for an afternoon snack.

“Bill and Connie got it all at one time and took it to the mill, and then started going field to field,” Stoll said, adding that the Fullers delivered the afternoon snacks, as well. “Everyone wanted to help.

“I’ve known Joe and Sue (Records) from way back. They’re a fantastic family.”

She said the idea to help the family was actually formed at the Iron Kettle the morning after Charlie’s accident. She said several farmers gather at the restaurant for coffee and breakfast in the mornings, and the idea arose through them. At that time, Stoll said, she told the men if they pulled it all together she’d provide meals for the volunteers.

“These guys would do anything for anybody,” she said. “They’re a good group of guys.”

According to Charlie’s mother, Sue, there’s been an outpouring of support for Charlie and the rest of the family.

“It’s just a wonderful demonstration of what friends and neighbors will do when there’s trouble,” she said.

Sue said Charlie has literally hundreds of people praying for him, and his recovery is nothing short of miraculous.

“He had to have multiple surgeries because he has multiple fractures,” she said. “He’s coming along a tiny step every day.”

Sprinkle said the prayers are working, because Sue reported from the hospital Thursday that doctors upgraded Charlie’s condition, and he stood up twice. He was in a coma for the first two weeks after he was airlifted to Wishard, according to Sprinkle, and just woke up last week. He said Charlie has a long road of recovery ahead of him, but is doing amazingly well.

“He was in the top of a silo leveling it off and half the silo fell over,” Sprinkle said.

Sue explained the silage — crop fodder that’s cut green and placed in a silo to preserve by fermentation — also came tumbling out and buried her son. Donnie Shields of Bloomfield and Tom Russell of Washington were helping Charlie, and Shields had begun the climb up the silo when Charlie felt the concrete begin to crumble under his feet. Sue said he shouted for Shields to jump clear so the silo didn’t fall on him. Russell and Shields immediately dialed 911 and began digging Charlie out of the concrete and silage.

“They got him out,” Sue said. “Donnie was injured slightly. He spent a couple days in the hospital. He did all this even though he was injured.”

Sprinkle said this isn’t the first time the community has stepped up to help someone in their hour of need.

“It’s just a great community to live in because of the people,” he said. “When they see a need, they step up to the plate to help. I’m proud of the community.”