Whitefish community funds improvements to home of retired ski patroller

Retired Big Mountain ski patroller Gary Cabell says upgrades to his home paid for by donations from friends and community members has significantly improved his quality of life.

A well, septic system and toilet were recently installed at his Whitefish home, paid for by money raised online and through a silent auction.

Local businesses also donated parts and labor to the aid effort, which has so far yielded around $70,000 for the man friends describe as a local legend. The GoFundMe page dedicated to the effort has received donations from nearly 650 people.

Cabell said he was thankful for all of his friends and community members who have shown him support.

“It’s perfect man, and having a toilet that flushes and a shower that works,” he said. “It’s a great community and great friends that I've known since I've been here. I’m thankful for all that helped me out.”

Cabell, who is 75, has lived for five years at his current home, a small cabin that once had no running water or indoor plumbing. When he needed water, Cabell had previously driven 5 miles to fill up in town.

An avid skier, Cabell’s mobility has been severely limited due to nerve damage sustained as side effects of prostate cancer treatment. He had surgery two years ago, but the procedure was not completely successful.

Cabell reported that he is rehabbing his leg, but still using a walker to get around.

“I’m working out every day, getting stronger and getting better,” he said.

Cabell said that there is still some work to be done at his house, including installing a handrail around the deck and some finish carpentry inside the cabin.

Jesse Miller — Cabell’s neighbor — and his business partner David Laing helped to organize fundraising efforts and coordinate the subsequent work.

Laing said the improvements would not have been possible without donations of labor and parts from local businesses. He said the company that did the drilling knocked about $20,000 off the bill for the 600-foot deep well extensive work.

“The 2M Company donated the pump motor and fittings, Northwest Pipe Fittings donated a toilet and hot water heater, and Anderson’s Masonry donated a backup propane heater,” Laing said, who estimated the donations totalled up to about $6,000 worth of parts.

Miller is urging other members of the community to pitch in help with the remaining carpentry. He said that he had received offers from interested locals during Cabell’s 75th birthday party fundraiser event in January but such work was difficult in the depths of winter.

“It's good weather now and if anyone wants to contribute to a neighborly cause,” he said.

Miller thinks the amount of people who turned out to support Cabell shows that the town’s sense of community is still strong.

“It’s really heartwarming to see the smalltown vibe show so much support to a really interesting member of our community,” he said. “I know the valley is changing but it was very refreshing to see that small town come together.”

“It’s incredible and so exciting to see how this all happened and came together,” said fundraising organizer Lauren Walker, who described the effort as a “really beautiful expression of our community.”

Cabell was skeptical at first that the webpage would garner any attention, Walker said. “‘Do you think anyone would donate to that?’” she remembers him asking.

Walker too was surprised by the amount of support, and hopes that fundraising will reach new heights.

“I’m still hoping for this to continue and to see it go viral,” she said. “I’m looking to see it expand and give Gary a cushion for a long while and recover. I’d love for him to get enough money where he could retire.”

The fundraiser benefiting Gary Cabell can be found at www.gofundme.com/f/support-a-local-legend

Reporter Adrian Knowler can be reached at 758-4407 or aknowler@dailyinterlake.com.