Friends, family and community members continue to rally around Rhett Barnes after an accident on May 18 left the husband, father and local business owner facing a long road to recovery.
According to family members, Barnes was spending the day at an area river with his wife, Shelby, and their two young daughters when he suffered a severe neck injury in the water. In the critical moments that followed, Shelby performed lifesaving resuscitation efforts before emergency responders transported him by air to UF Health Shands Hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery.
Barnes remains in an intensive care unit as doctors continue treating complications related to the water he inhaled during the accident. Family members say his lungs are still healing, and once his condition stabilizes further, he is expected to begin therapy for a spinal-cord injury.
Despite the challenges he has faced since the accident, loved ones say Barnes has shown remarkable strength and resilience. They credit the continued support, prayers and encouragement from the community for helping sustain the family through an extraordinarily difficult time.
A family man and owner of Down-to-Earth Land Management, Barnes is the primary provider for his household. Since the accident, Shelby has remained at his bedside while balancing the needs of their children.
“Rhett is progressing every day,” family members shared. “We believe he is being healed by Jesus Christ and the prayers of so many people who have reached out to support him and our family.”
To help ease the financial burden and support the Barnes family during Rhett’s recovery, several community fundraising events have been organized throughout June.
A chicken-and-rice fundraiser will take place on Friday, June 19, with meals available for pickup from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Starke. Tickets are $10 and include chicken and rice, green beans and a roll. Organizers encourage supporters to preorder meals through Sonshine Title, Barry Whitehead, Hunter Chaff or Billy Gault.
Community members can also participate in a golf tournament benefiting Rhett Barnes at the Starke Golf and Country Club on Friday, June 26. The four-person scramble tournament costs $300 per team and includes lunch; both morning and afternoon flights are available.
In addition, organizers are holding a gun-drawing fundraiser, with all proceeds designated to assist Barnes and his family during his recovery. Tickets are available for purchase at Sonshine Title and Julia’s Florist.
Supporters say every contribution will help provide stability while Rhett focuses on healing.
Family members expressed deep gratitude for the overwhelming support they have received from friends, neighbors, churches, local businesses and strangers alike.
“There are no adequate words to express our gratitude for everything that has been done and continues to be done,” the family said. “Your prayers, encouragement, and participation in these fundraising efforts mean more than we can ever say.”
As Barnes continues his recovery journey, the community’s message remains clear: he and his family are not facing this battle alone. Those who would like to contribute directly to the Barnes family can also donate through the online fundraiser established on their behalf. Donations can be made through GoFundMe at www.gofundme.com/f/rhett-and-shelby-barnes, where supporters can follow updates on Rhett’s recovery and help provide financial assistance as he continues his rehabilitation. You may also use the QR code below.
