Community rallies around Culver man, critical after accident

July 11, 2012

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A Culver man was in critical condition last week following an Ohio auto accident, while many in the Culver community are rallying around his family.

Derek Perkins, of Lewis Street, has been Associate Director of Admissions at Culver Academies for four years. Perkins was driving to Culver from the Toledo, Ohio area June 25 when his vehicle was struck by another car. He was airlifted to Mercy St. Vincent Hospital in Toledo in critical condition with bleeding on the brain, and placed on a ventilator.

As has been the case in a variety of situations here, the support of many in the community has been overwhelming. By last Tuesday, Janet Halling of Culver, a close friend of Perkins' wife Kimberly, had set up an online fund to help the family with incidental costs and inconveniences. The initial goal was $500, but as of this writing, nearly $6,000 had been raised, and the family bombarded with an outpouring of prayers, cards, digital messages, and phone calls.

"The outpouring of love has been such a blessing, and has touched my family's hearts in ways I can't even express," says Kimberly Perkins. "With God all things are possible and we are trusting Him to bring Derek back to full recovery. We are seeing good signs, although slow, so I must remain patient....just taking it one day at a time while leaning on the Lord."

Those wishing to contribute to the fund, or find updates on Perkins' condition, may do so at www.gofundme.com/shp5w [2].

*UPDATE: Derek Perkins has been transferred to Hook Rehab in Indianapolis and is continuing to make slow but steady progress. Further information is available at the gofundme site above.