In tough times, small towns have a big heart.

"Why is that? Why have our big cities neglected that? I mean that's why we are here to help each other, and especially in times like this," Morgan County R-1 Teacher Carman Haag said.

Especially for someone like Monica Hudson, who has suffered more than anyone can imagine over the past five months.

"There is no way we can make up what has happened to her," Haag said.

Friends like Carman Haag will try and ease some of Hudson's growing living expenses by organizing a fundraising luncheon.

"Our goal, is if we can help financially, if we can help take a divot out of some of the expenses she is going to incur, that would be one less thing she would have to worry about," Haag said.

Those worries began in June. Traveling down highway 135, Monica's daughter, Ashton, a varsity volleyball player, died in car accident.

It's been hard for one of Ashton's closest friends, Jordan Freeman.

"Ashton was a very fun loving person."

Jordan and Ashton played volleyball and were warm up partners for the Morgan County Bulldogs.

"After it happened it was hard during summer league for Cole Camp, I had to start all over, with a different warmup parnter, it still doesn't feel the same," Freeman said.

Things wouldn't stay the same for Monica. Days after Ashton's funeral, Monica's father-in-law suffered a heart attack.

"My heart just breaks, I wouldn't want to fathom what she is going through," Hagg said.

Two tragedies is enough for anyone, even with expenses piling up. Yet, the hardest hit just weeks later. 

On July fourth, Monica's husband, Quentin, was lighting a firework when it prematurely exploded. After a month in ICU, he passed away, two months after his own daughter.

"I think that would be the scariest thing on earth, for me. To lose my husband would be horrendous," Hagg said.

While Quentin was hospitalized, Monica quit her job. Thankfully, the Stover community stepped in to help Monica with medical bills, including Haag.

"I think when people hear this story and they hear about everything that she has one through, I think peoples heart just breaks, and you just go, "oh, my gosh, what more does this family have to go through?"

Haag recognizes that even with a broken heart, Monica is staying strong.

"With as much pain as she is in right now, just to come and be with people is a great step for her. Im sure if anybody was in the same shoes, they would completely understand.

It's understandable how difficult it is for Monica to talk publicly about her tragedies. But her story is a reminder of how time spent with loved ones is taken for granted. A reminder that the smaller the community, the bigger the bond.

If you would like to make a donation, or help the Hudson family in any way, afund has been set up.

Hudson Family Fund
c/o Citizens Farmers Bank
P.O. Box 250
Stover, MO 6507

Any checks can be sent payable to the Hudson Family Fund.