Hi, my name is Sophie and I have decided to start a Go Fund Me for my new friend Gary Mccollum. Gary is a remarkable 80 year old individual who needs some help creating his dream of making his 1 acre of raw island land into a Walking Trail Park Nursery.

A little info about Gary ... He started his life in Modesto, California. He was born deaf, with a hole in his palate that was unfortunately never repaired. He is extremely skilled in reading lips, and has learned throughout his life to communicate very well. Gary spent his early years traveling to craft shows, making intricately carved nameplates. Being a man of faith, he then began making decoupaged plaques with versus and pictures of prayer. Growing tired of his gypsy-like lifestyle, Gary found himself on the Big Island of Hawaii, gifted with a beautiful acre of land tucked in the rainforest.

With the very occasional help of a volunteer, Gary has been, and is determined, to make his dream of the Walking Trail Park Nursery come true. Gary spends most hours of daylight working. From planting and digging, to pouring his own concrete for shelves to hold all of his plants (See photos attached below, it's truly amazing work). He does this by sifting lava gravel by hand, a couple of shovelfuls at a time, through a screen. Once he has enough, he adds the correct amount of Portland Cement and water, which comes from rain off the roof of his nursery. He places one shovelful at a time in his rudimentary forms, and finishes it carefully with a small trowel.

He lives on his acre of land, sleeping in the passenger seat of his old Toyota Camry, and only has a rusty storage container to hold his belongings. He lives off-grid, depending on the rain for water and only has a lone 650 watt solar panel to charge his power tool batteries and his very old iPad. He does have a place in the town of Hilo to take showers, and every Monday, takes the day off to do his laundry.

Because of the condition of his body and overall rapid aging, what Gary needs is a new and improved solar panel-first and foremost, and ideally, a tiny house with a real shower, bathroom, a bed to rest his hardworking bones, and a place to cook his simple meals. A local and retired architect friend will willingly design and build a tiny home for Gary, but what is needed is help with the funds to make this happen. Gary has an amazing attitude about his self created 10 year plan, and asks nothing of his neighbors and friends. To the many people who know and love him, they know that to succeed and thrive for the rest of his life, Gary needs comfort and shelter, while building his dream nursery.

I know it's easiest to give our money to causes that we feel a personal connection to. Having met Gary on my recent trip to Hawaii, I wanted to share his inspiring story and see how much assistance we are able to give him. We all have someone in our life who needs and deserves help, but, humbly, does not ask for it.

Any amount you are able to give will help. Please feel free to share Gary's story with others, and let's get this sweet man some shelter and power! 'Tis the season, and Happy Holidays everyone.

-Soph