ELLENDALE, North Dakota (CNN)  -- After surviving a near-fatal accident, Richard Olson recalls the doctor telling him, "You may never walk again." Bill Gross says he has put in $20,000 and 5,000 hours or more of volunteer time into Farm Rescue. The Ellendale, North Dakota, farmer had gotten caught in the power takeoff shaft of his farming equipment, and his injuries left him unable to plant his 2,500 acres of soybeans and corn. The accident might have meant the end of his family's farm. Enter Bill Gross and Farm Rescue. Since 2006, the successful UPS pilot has been, in his "spare" time, providing a helping hand and a hearty dose of hope for American family farmers like Olson.
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UPS pilot Bill Gross offers assistance and hope for American family farmers
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He and volunteers help farmers who suffer major illness, injury or natural disaster
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Gross' nonprofit, Farm Rescue, has helped 59 farmers since 2006
"Years ago, when there was an accident or an injury, neighbors would usually come and help each other," recalls @placeholder.