ANACONDA — It was an emotional yet touching scene at the newly renovated Memorial Gymnasium Thursday night in Anaconda.
Two of Montana's oldest high rivals put their differences aside for a much bigger cause. During the break between the girls and boys basketball games between Anaconda and Butte Central, Butte Central principal J.P. Williams and Anaconda athletic director Allen Green presented Chris Stetzner, father of Anaconda sophomore Gabbie Stetzner, with fund-raised proceeds to help Gabbie in her fight with Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma, which is a rare type of soft tissue cancer, according to Mayo Clinic.
Both schools, along with Butte Broadcasting and Copperhead Country Media, donated to help the family through this tough time.
Chris was overwhelmed as he tried to find the words to show his appreciation for both communities coming together.
“It was hard to stand up there a lot of times when the gratitude is overwhelming. It’s hard to hear her name sometimes without getting choked up. Gabbie is straight fire, she has a lot of passion, got a lot of fight, and with everybody behind her I think she’s going to be fine," Chris Stetzner said.
If you want to donate to the Gabbie Strong fund you can find dropoff boxes at Dee Motor in Anaconda, South West Montana Community Federal Credit Union in Anaconda and Butte and at the studios of Butte Broadcasting, 660 Dewey Blvd in Butte. You can also stop by any First Montana Bank and donate in Gabbie’s honor.
