STANFORD, Ky. (WKYT) - He almost lost his leg when it was pinned during a church hayride accident.

Today, friends and family of 8-year-old Jalen Smith gathered in Lincoln County for a fundraiser to help the family with medical bills following Jalen's multiple surgeries and recovery.

"He's on the mend. He's got a long road ahead, but we are just excited to see how every day something new happens and he gets better," said Brooke Stone, who is a close family friend and also the fundraiser organizer.

But since a freak accident on a hayride, he has been in and out of the hospital fighting to keep his leg.

"His leg is doing good. We had an appointment actually this past Friday, and everything is looking great," said J Smith, Jalen's father.

Despite the dreary weather, more than 100 people pulled together in Stanford to make this a happy day for Jalen and his family as he continues to heal.

"It's just great to live in a community like this that comes together when something tragic happens," said Jalen's father.

Jalen's parents say he is improving but is still not back at school and bound to this wheelchair for now.

"He just has a long road ahead of him, but I think everything hopefully will turn out good and he's a determined kid," said Jalen's father.

He's also a little shy, but Jalen says he appreciates everyone's support.

His parents tell us Jalen will start physical therapy next week. And as soon as he can put weight on his leg again, he'll be doing rehab at Cardinal Hill.