Community Rallies to Support Dedicated Grocery Bagger in St. George
ST. GEORGE, Utah — Gary Saling, an 80-year-old grocery bagger at Smith’s Market, is beloved by locals, unaware of his remarkable past as an architect to Hollywood elite and Wall Street financiers. His notable projects included multi-million-dollar homes, earning him a spot on Architectural Digest’s top 100 list. However, following the loss of his wife, Carol, to Sundowner’s syndrome, Saling finds himself facing $80,000 in medical bills, prompting him to continue working.
Saling attributes his work ethic to his single mother, who was a head waitress in Beverly Hills and instilled a strong sense of diligence in him from a young age. Their love story began serendipitously at a stoplight in 1991, leading to a deep bond that continued until Carol’s death in 2021.
Recognizing Saling’s struggles, Duana Johnson from a local ministry initiated a fundraising effort on his behalf, raising approximately $2,000 to help him retire. “I’m trying to raise enough money for him to be able to retire and not have to worry about working anymore,” she stated. Community members are urged to contribute via Venmo (@HelpGaryRetire) to help Saling find peace in his golden years.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
