Banner created to help lift spirits of 85-year-old burn victim

A construction company and a local nonprofit are helping lift the spirits of an 85-year-old burn victim.

On Sept. 9, Don was set on fire after a furnace explosion in Cold Spring.

His wife found him and rolled him on a rug to put out the flames but Don had severe injuries.

While spending several weeks in the Hennepin Healthcare Burn Center, Don was able to watch a construction crew operate a 180-foot tall crane outside his window. Now, a large banner on the crane reads, "Get well soon, Don."

During Don’s hospital stay, his wife, Connie, and daughter, Heidi, stayed at a nearby apartment for free thanks to Firefighters for Healing. The nonprofit helps burn victims and their families. It also reached out to the construction company after learning about Don’s fascination with the crane to make the banner happen.