The 4-H community carried on together.

A September 2009 follow-up documented how the Kenai Peninsula 4-H community stepped in to handle chores, show animals, complete auction responsibilities and support the Martin family.

It was Matti's first year participating in the Junior Market Livestock program. He had raised six chickens for the fair, and the pen was placed first in the auction in his honor.

The newspaper reported that the chickens and add-on contributions raised $5,489.44. A donated turkey and strong prices across the auction further reflected how deeply the local fair and 4-H families responded.

The story is important to Matti's Farm because it records something larger than fundraising: young people and adults stepping into real responsibilities for one another during an extraordinarily difficult weekend.