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The Johnson family includes father Zachary, mother Jennifer and daughters Ily, Ember and Aurora.
Zachary Johnson of Toccoa just wanted to earn some extra money for Christmas.
The 40-year-old City of Toccoa employee was working overtime on Friday, Dec. 2, at a city recycling bailer when tragedy occurred.
The machine, he said, crushed both of his feet.
“My only concern was that my three daughters had a good Christmas,” Johnson said.
After the accident, Johnson said he was able to crawl to the front door of the facility where he called 911 and was flown to Northeast Georgia Medical Center for treatment.
The accident resulted in the amputation of both feet.
Later, both of his legs below the knees were amputated so he can be fitted for prosthetics.
“I lost two limbs in the accident,” Johnson said from his hospital bed where he remained on Monday.
He said the city recently employed him and he hadn’t yet qualified for health insurance when the accident occurred.
Workman’s compensation helped, Johnson said, but the family has become cash-strapped while reduced to just one worker – his wife Jennifer.
A page on the Go Fund Me site has been established for those individuals wishing to provide financial aid to the Johnson family.
Money sent through the page has been linked directly to funnel into a family bank account, Johnson said.
As of Monday afternoon, $2,505 had been raised of a $5,000 goal.
To access the webpage, visit www.gofundme.com.
In the top left corner, click on “search” and in the middle search bar type Toccoa Amputee.