Local family seeks help to continue local non-profit after tragedy strikes

It has been said that when it rains, it pours, and one local couple has been dealing with a downpour since the beginning of 2024. Jerad and Mellie Cremers are not only the owners and operators of the Graceville non-profit Sasquatch Acres Ranch Livestock Rescue, but Jerad is also Active Duty Air Force and Mellie a deputy with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office. With a new baby and the help on a true farmhand friend, the Cremers are pushing forward after several tragedies struck their family at the beginning of the year from tornado destruction to a burn accident that left Jerad fighting for his life.

The year 2024 started with hope for the Cremers as Jerad had returned from deployment earlier in 2023 and the duo had welcomed their first child, Charlotte. The couple were thriving in their chosen career paths and their newest venture Sasquatch Acres Ranch Livestock Rescue was also. When the January tornados hit Graceville, the Ranch received great damage including the property’s pole barn being destroyed along with tree and vegetation thrown all over the property. As the couple worked to rebuild the property, home of more than 100 animals, they quickly realized it would be a task but were happy to take in on. Then on April 10 while burning vegetation debris from the storms, Jerad was caught on fire and received second and third degree burns to over half of his body while Mellie was at her job at the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.

The scary and traumatic day would end with Jerad being life-flighted and eventually taken to UF Health Shands in Gainesville where he spent two weeks in a medically induced coma receiving care and recovery. He would end up having 30% of his body including burns on his entire left arm, side chest, both legs, face and neck. Making the situation even worse, the family found out after the accident that Jerad’s military insurance had dropped his plan starting a new battle for insurance that the family is still fighting with Jerad commenting, “My insurance company even pulled my policy while I was incapacitated [and] now I have no health [or] life insurance to pay for the medical bills from the day of to the remaining follow up appointments that will continue for the remaining of the year.”

Now back home, Jerad has a long road to recovery along with his current battle to receive his proper insurance coverage. Mellie continues to work full time for the Sheriff’s Office while also running the couple’s ranch with the help of farmhand and friend Thomas Fountain. Fountain helped out the couple prior to the accident, but when everything occurred in April, Fountain stepped up helping the family without pay and even staying on property when needed to ensure the animals are getting the care they need as well. Jerad, while recovering, still works around the farm but as his body and skin continue to heal, he is not able to go outside in the heat for long periods of time forcing most of his help to be limited to indoor chores and animal care.

When speaking with the couple, the Cremers commented they never through they’d end up in Graceville but after visiting the Livestock Auction several times, they quickly found that Graceville was meant to be their home. Purchasing a 40-acre lot on Highway 2 across from the established Little Star Stables, the couple chose to dedicate their property and time to their business Sasquatch Acres Ranch Livestock Rescue. The Ranch is a place for animals who are rescued from being either abused or neglected as well as animals surrendered from owners who could no longer take care of them due to physical or financial strains. The business host multiple events throughout the Wiregrass area as well as the Panhandle of Florida promoting community awareness on animal care. The Ranch also offers a therapeutic environment for children and adults who suffer from PTSD and other traumatic events, something close to the entire family’s heart.

The family constantly give appreciation to all who have helped since the storms in January and especially those who were there the day of Jerad’s accident. Jerad commented that his wife learned of the accident while on duty and when she made it to their home “where she witnessed the Fire Department, EMTs, neighbors and concerned citizens on the highway and in our driveway making sure that I was okay and that our 5-month-old daughter was safe and taken care of.”

As the financial strain continues to worsen, the couple have begun reaching out to various organizations for veterans and law enforcement help as well as livestock and animal agencies for help with little to no answer or aid. The couple is now asking for help from the area community noting that even a $20 bag of feed would help. A fundraising page has also been set up by a family friend at https://gofund.me/dfee4469. The couple can also be reached via phone at 903-340-5297 or online under Sasquatch Acres Ranch.

PHOTO CUTLINE: Jerad, Charlotte, and Mellie Cremers along with Farmhand Thomas Fountain

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