Benefit planned for MoDOT workers injured on the job

FARMINGTON, Mo. (KBSI) — Friends and family are organizing a benefit to support Chris Menz and his co-worker Donnie, two Missouri Department of Transportation employees seriously injured on the job last month.

The Climbing for a Cause Benefit Show — hosted by Overland.573 Expeditions and Outfitters — will feature a car show, cornhole tournament, raffle, food trucks, and more. Vehicle entry is $20, and cornhole teams can register for $10. Donations are encouraged, but spectators can attend for free.

The workers suffered electrical shock injuries from a utility pole on May 21 while working near Walton Boulevard and East Jackson Boulevard in Jackson, MO.

Menz posted this public update to his Facebook page, Friday, May 29th, soon after having bandages removed from skin grafts on his hands and foot.

“I’m not feeling low-tier pain right now. It’s actually some suffering at the moment, but I’m optimistic that I’ll get back to a more reasonable amount of pain here in a little bit,” he said. “Just be praying for Donnie as well. He’s going through some pretty heavy moments of his recovery right now.”

Menz’s friend Alex Turley said Menz went into cardiac arrest twice on the day of the accident.

“He’s in a lot of pain. It’s a very painful process,” Turley said. “He’s got three young children, and it’s just a lot to deal with for a young family.”

Turley said Menz has a passion for building community – rallying his friends and others around conservation and protecting public lands, going out together on trail clean ups.

“His cup has always poured over for others consistently since I’ve known him,” Turley said. “Now it’s our time for our community to pour our cup for him and his family and for Donnie and their family as well, because, they’re going to need it with the recovery.”

For more information about the event, click here.