Dave & Michelle from Casper's Pizza

Thank you so much to everyone that has donated to Dave and Michelle!!! You have exceeded all expectations and I know how much it has helped them and touched their hearts. It's time to draw this to a close. If you'd still like to help, please grab your family and friends and stop in for lunch or dinner and buy some pizza or barbecue. They'd love to see you!


On November 22nd, 2018, owners Dave Calland and his wife Michelle Hipskind celebrated their 8th year in Belfair as owners of Casper’s Pizza & BBQ.  It was Dave’s dream to own a pizza and barbecue restaurant.  Michelle fully supported his vision, so they left their IT consulting business in Redmond and cashed in retirement savings and found just the right location in an old pizza place in the log cabin in Belfair.  Dave loved grilling for many years and discovered a lot of wonderful southern barbecue places during a stay in Oklahoma.  Several months later after a total remodel they opened Casper’s.  It was a big gamble and took a lot of work, but Casper’s has become a community hub where families and locals gather for events and celebrations.  Along with the warm welcome, great service, and some of the best comfort food around, it had become a winning combination.  

All was good until Dave fell ill, and their dream business began to suffer.  In their absence of the day to day operations they had to hire staff to cover for them which has made it difficult to keep up with their rising rent and expenses.  The yearlong road construction project in front of their building also took its toll.  They’ve had to use their savings, personal property and any profits back in the business while trying to keep up with his healthcare needs and expenses.   

Sadly, Dave’s illness was misdiagnosed and is much worse than originally thought.  We ran into Michelle today at lunch and she told us the bad news.  Dave has Multiple system atrophy (MSA), also known as Shy Drager syndrome.  It is a rare neurodegenerative disorder characterized by tremors, slow movement, muscle rigidity, and postural instability (collectively known as parkinsonism) due to dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system and ataxia.  He has a short life expectancy.  We asked if there was anything we could do to help.  She said that Dave is in so much pain and could use a comfortable recliner.  She mentioned that he’d always wanted to get his grandfather’s recliner reupholstered.  It is a good comfortable recliner that supports him well and he has always loved it.  She also said that he could use bed handrails and other things to help him get comfortable and keep him safe.

So, I’m asking for your thoughts and prayers for Dave and Michelle and funds to get his grandfathers recliner reupholstered for him.  I’m also asking for extra money to help him get around safely and cover his healthcare needs and expenses.  They’re incredible people and have done so many fundraisers to help people in our community.  It’s so nice to be able to help and give back to them.  If you’d rather not donate to GoFundMe but would like to help, grab your family and friends and stop in for lunch or dinner and buy some pizza or barbecue.  You can also purchase some of Michelle's wonderful homemade dog collars available at Casper's.  That would help out immensely too. 

Thank you so much in advance for sharing or donating to the GoFundMe for Dave and Michelle.  All monies go directly to them and they could use it right away.  Please help me pass the word by telling your family and friends or share this link by messaging, email or your Facebook Timeline to help get the word out.