A surprise for a retired police officer who makes beautiful wooden items for others
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 29 ก.ย. 2024
- #EastIdahoNews #FeelGoodFriday
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EastIdahoNews.com and Ashley Furniture HomeStore in Idaho Falls and Pocatello are partnering to honor people in our community for Feel Good Friday. Every week, we surprise someone deserving of special recognition.
We recently received a message about a retired police officer who is using his talents to help others. Here’s what it said:
Gary served and retired from the Idaho Falls police force after 38 years. Ever since then he has served in a different way. He began tinkering with wood - making log beds for anyone who wanted one. Then he started doing boxes. Again, for anyone who wanted. Completely custom. The things he has made are so beautiful and detailed to the point where he could have made an absolute fortune! But when asked why he won’t sell them or charge (even for the expensive tools, supplies and not to mention the cost of wood!), he says he won’t accept anything as it takes the fun out of it.
One specific item he made for a church silent auction with proceeds donated for kids who couldn’t afford camps and for the youth. Usually these items bring bids under a hundred or so. His carvings of the nativity brought in almost $2,000! It was incredible! Of course other people wanted one for themselves. He has a list a mile long and never complains.
He has a little shop set up & built for year-round tinkering. He orders supplies from Amazon and makes pens, rings, boxes, trophies, decor and more. Gary is happiest when he is making things for people. He has been through a lot the past few years. He knows loss. In the past few years he has lost a sister, mom, mom/law, brother/law and recently two daughters.
We decided to pay Gary a visit and thank him for his service! Check out the surprise in the video player above.
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This gentleman is not a "hobbyist"-he is an artist! Combine his craftsmanship with his attitude, and the result is heartwarming. He imbues each piece of wood with a patina of peace and love. Thanks to EIN, Ashley Stores, and his friends for thanking this man! Best wishes to him and his loved ones.
Couldn't have said it better! Thank you.
Right?! Hobbyist is an epic understatement. This is some next level "hobby"! 👏💪🖖
Amen to that! That’s some amazing work!
Absolutely!!!!
That's a Great & Wonderful human being there.
Wish he can just setup a vlog where people can give for materials and all of it. Such a talent, and for free. 💛
Gary understands that we are all just temporary residents on this planet and he's going to make his time count. Bless you, Gary.
Very well said!
totally agree.
What a really nice man. Served his community for 38 years on the Force and still doing so. His wood worked pieces are beautiful and obviously made with love. All the very best to you, Sir ❤🙏
Thank you sir for your service 🙏🏾👮♀️
Hi Gary, fellow woodcarver here. You are an awesome person who thinks of others before yourself and OH MY, your wood workings are just exceptional. Thanks for putting smiles on everyone's face with your great artistic talent.
The sparkle in that mans eyes when asked how long it takes to make the nativity scene was priceless. I may be 7 States away, But I have mad respect for Gary - AND East Idaho News and their sponsors for making peoples efforts such as this available for all to see- Keep up the great work!
I know he is busy but it would be so cool to have him teach the wood working to young people so they can carry on the tradition. Old trades are slowly dying out
Beautiful craftsmanship
What beautiful wood working. God Bless you.
He is so soft spoken. I bet he was a great police officer.
This man is incredibly talented!! Omg those pieces are absolutely beautiful. My favorite is the box with wooden ribbons..amazing!
Wow, what a beautiful soul this man is and such talent is amazing....God bless you!
This man , has a Golden heart ! Not a wooden heart. 😂 Bless you , Gary ! You are Amazing.🙏👏👍
The most Beautiful Nativity Scene that I have ever seen. Lovely Man, his wife too God Bless you both❤️❤️🥰🙏🏻
Gary makes heirlooms and they are STUNNING. May the Lord continue to bless him and his family.
🙏🏻❤️
What a wonderful man he is. Thank you sir for being 100% selfless and always thinking of others. You have a beautiful soul.
Wow! Love the Nativities. Absolutely beautiful.
What a great man and his talent 👏 the world needs a little more kindness ❤ like he has
Happy feel good Friday ,Thank you Nate Eaton from East Idaho News
Gary tuely is a very talented man. I know he doesnt charge for his one-of-a-kind wood calvings, but he should put up a donation box to a charity close to his heart and then people can donate if they can or wish too. Then, It won't take the fun out of his passion, and the charity will benefit from the proceedings. The sea turtle is something else. Amazing 👏 🐢
Wow, those boxes he makes are gorgeous. Thank you for showcasing his talent and also acknowledging him.
Love me a good, decent man, and he certainly is one of them! Absolutely gorgeous nativity set!! You could tell he takes pride in what he does and it creates a lot of happiness for him, so it's a win-win situation!
What a honey soft spoken big hearted man you bring tears to my eyes God bless you 💕
Wow amazing talent
Beautiful work! Truly art. Thanks Nate.
Wow......what an awesome guy !
How lovely to be gifted one of these beautiful pieces!! It is so wonderful that he finds such joy in sharing his talents!! Bravo, sir 👏 You are a shining example for us all ❤
Love you secret Santa 🎅 for working for humanity irrespective of difference - Love from India 🇮🇳
Another great start to feel good Friday, thanks
THIS MAN IS GOD'S SOUL. THANK YOU.
Oh my heart goes out to Gary.. so many losses! So happy he has his wife! BEAUTIFUL WORK Gary! I love working with wood!!! So special!
Wow he is a true woodworker incredible work those pieces are real art everything was incredible the nativity, the turtle, dolphins wow...God bless this man and thank him for his service. It is in my bucket list to visit East Idaho a town full of nice people what a great place to live.
I’d give this news channel all the $ they need for this if my employer allows
This kind man is incredibly talented!!!! The detail is amazing!!! Much respect to a humble man who knows the value of giving….but also knows the unexplainable feeling that only a true “giver” can understand -that it’s more blessed to give than to receive.
You need to add Gary to the next Secret Santa list. I'm sure he could use some new wood working equipment. And you know that equipment would be put to good use, helping make others happy.
Agreed! Just imagine what he could do with brand new equipment and any upgrades he needs in his shop (climate control?). It would be so cool if he was able to mentor some young people who have an earnest desire to learn the art of woodworking.
I AGREE 100% GARY COULD CERTAINLY USE SOME DONATIONS FOR THE MANY NEEDY PEOPLE IN HIS AREA. IF SECRET SANTA WOULD CHOOSE HIM HE COULD BE GIVEN WHATEVER TOOLS AND SUPPLIES HE NEEDS TO MAKE HIS BEAUTIFUL CREATIONS AND PUT A SMILE ON LOTS OF PEOPLES FACES. YOU ARE A VERY VERY SPECIAL MAN GARY. MAY GOD BLESS YOU WITH GOOD HEALTH FOR MANY YEARS.
A good man
He is an amazing guy and has a warm spirit about him. God bless him. He's an artist.
Beautiful 🙏🏻❤️
Wow! Look at all those wonderful wood pieces of art!
Humble man with a big talent!!
This is pure talent wish I could be like him. unfortunately my brain Has no more oxygen left.....
I've made a lot of pens, some take quite a while to turn, sand, seal, and polish...others only take a few minutes....Gary obviously has a few tools in the shop to do all that stuff, I know how expensive that got real quick LOL. I've made thousands of pens, and sold maybe 30-40 of them, the rest I've made and given away or like everything else that isn't fastened down, grew legs and walked off LOL.
Interesting to see all the cool stuff that Gary has made and given away. Lots of time and work goes into that stuff, and so many people in this state take it for granted and want the stuff made and handed to them free because they can go to the dollar store and get pens, boxes, etc. for a buck, why pay $20+ for a pen, box, etc. mentality makes it hard for all these wood workers out there...that stuff isn't cheap, the time, the work, the tools, the skills, parts, wood, etc....all that stuff is expensive...someone should start a donation box somewhere in town for Gary so people can donate that have gotten stuff from him, that want to help out.
I quit making pens 2 years ago, and last year I gave away the last pens, pen/pencil sets, that I had to some kids....still have the tools unfortunately people don't want to pay anything for that stuff either...its fun to do, but man when you are out there buying the stuff to make these things its hard on the wallet, and when you can't sell the stuff it makes it not a very enjoyable or affordable hobby LOL. I got into not only wood pens, but acrylic...then got the bright idea to try metal pens...well along with that came a $1000 lathe for turning metal, and the tools for that, it can be fun for some, but for me it became a burden so I don't do it anymore.
Glad that Gary enjoys his shop, makes retirement worth it when you have something to look forward to.
Oh! What a lesson for all of us to learn!
Wow. Thank you for your service. And thank you for continuing to help others by donating those amazing items for charity.
You got lucky this time. Imagine if you had knocked on the door of the Bingham County sheriff. In all seriousness, that nativity is really impressive.
That’s some impressive woodworking. Someone get this guy a contract with a major furniture supplier.
Very wonderful pieces.. I sure miss watching these programs.Look forward to Fridays.
WOW awesome woodworking !!Thank you Nate watching from Seattle WA
I would love to buy one of these nativity sets. It is so beautiful
He just brought a thousand smiles to my face! What a great guy. Giving from the heart is what makes some people like him so incredibly special.
He is the definition of an artist.
Wht n artist👌👌👌
Mean is awesome what he does. God bless him and his wife. Sorry for the losses. Prayers for family and friends.
I Love Turtles How do you get in touch with this Man. I would love to purchase one what Beautiful Work
What an artist beautiful work may God continue to bless him. Beautiful just simply beautiful. I'm lost for words just beautiful ❤️
Oh 😳 THAT Nativity Scene 🤩 WoW. His “hobby” is truly breathtaking CRAFTSMANSHIP 🤩 Eloquently BEAUTIFUL 💕Terrific Gentleman and his wife ❣️❣️ Thank you EIN & Ashley Furniture & ALL involved 😎
God bless you Gary! God bless you for all you do. Thanks Nate for honoring him. My Grandpa was gifted in this way.
What a gentle spirit, may the Lords blessings be over him !
And I really want to thank Ashley Home Store for giving so much to so many communities and people !!!
I went to “Ashley for the Arts” last August in Arcadia Wisconsin and was blown away what the owners of Ashley furniture do for their community and so many other organizations and charities !!!
Ron and Todd Wanek are so humble and kind, actually the whole family is…….They could live lavish lives but they choose to give to others, but no one really knows because they don’t brag about it !!!!
I just want to brag about Ashley furniture because they have really impressed me and I don’t even know them, I just went to their fund raising concert….and it was AMAZING !!!!!
I hope it made him feel good because it sure made me feel good this Friday morning.
Omg my dad was a carpenter so I know the skill and time involved in those pieces. They will last a lifetime. God bless him.
Happy. Saturday Morning Hi Nate n East Idaho News. God. Bless In Doing Good
All class man👍👍👍🇦🇺
If it weren't for family here in my hometown in central Ontario Canada, I would move to East Idaho!!!
Thank you for your service, now I want to buy some of his art work and I'm from New Zealand. God bless. Please let me know.
What a wonderful person he is.
He very beautiful things god bless him and has family
Gosh! this is so amazing! I can't imagine someone being so gifted!
His work is astonishing absolutely beautiful
Sir you have a heart of gold.Thank you❤️
Typical cop response: Are you Gary? No.
What a sweet man. 🥰
Oh Boy... crazy skills... what beautiful pieces. The love he has for wood working shows with every piece.
What a wonderfully talented man!
Love it! ❤❤❤❤
Gary you not only put a "BIG SMILE" on God's Face, others
but mine as well.
A testimony through your talented hands and your time.
God chose you to receive this wonderful "GIFT" to share with others. You are HIS hands!
Thank you for all you do.
God's Blessings!
That is so beautiful...Mr. Gary, God Bless you...🤗🙏🧎
A word that is so overused that it has lost meaning, but this guy really brings meaning back to the word...Awesome.
They are beautiful I have a bank made of old post office box.Made by my cousin that passed away. I love it.
I’m an artist too but I break my bones so much I can’t do a lot anymore. I also gave all my hard work away. I would love a very big cross , I want everyone to see my house is blessed by my Lord, Jesus Christ please
I would love to buy a nativity scene for my sister. What gorgeous pieces of art.
He needs to set up an Etsy shop. 🤗🙏
he was a policeman. he has a good and safe entrance door!
he knows how much it counts. ;-)
In the thumbnail the dude looked like Michael Moore
Ouch 🤢
Gary, u have no idea how inspiring you are and that u help many just by hearing this story.
AMAZING SURE SOME REALLY NICE FOLKS IN OUR WORLD!!
Like times 10.
Thank you for all that you do
His work is amazing!!
Beautiful work!
Such a sweet man ❤️
A true artist.
Beautiful!
Incredible craftsmanship!. I would LOVE to have a Nativity Scene... Although it is all beautiful! 💜 😊
💙🙏Sweet man🙏💙
And undiscovered wood carving master. God bless his heart and those incredible artistic hands..! 🙌 He makes so many people happy with his gift. 💕💕😁💯💯👍👍
Thanks Gary for bringing joy into people's lives with your craftmanship. Beautiful work, a real talent so heartwarming.
It's sound like he's building treasures in Heaven. LORD GOD Bless is wife.
Wow. What a talented humble man. You make God proud. His work is beautiful. God bless you and keep you..
What a true genuine gentleman! I have a lot of Respect for him! Thank you for you’re service too!❤️from an Idaho Falls Citizen
His work is stunning. The details, the beautiful faces of those nativity pieces. Gorgeous!!