NORTH MANKATO, Minn. - Gilbert Hoppe isn't one to ask for help.
"I was humble, kind of scared to ask people, the way I am, so shy," he said.
He's shy and humble. So when he needed help after his only vehicle was smashed by a deer, Gilbert tried to sell one of his most expensive possessions.
He posted on the Mankato For Sale Facebook page a photo of his hearing aids with a handwritten note that said, "Pair of hearing aids for sale or trade for a good vehicle."
Gilbert is an Army veteran who takes care of his sick wife while he himself battles cancer.
"It's been a rough time. I spent a lot of time in the hospital over the years," he said.
Three young strangers learned the story behind Gilbert's post. They were deeply offended by nasty comments people left under Gilbert's post and wanted to help him.
So they organized a fundraiser -- an American Legion spaghetti feed with country music karaoke.
Asked when was the last time he had so much fun, Gilbert chuckled, "Oh, it's been years. When I was a young kid."
In less than a day after the first story on KARE 11 aired, a GoFundMe page has raised more than $18,000.
"Makes me proud," Gilbert said, when told he must have touched a lot of people.
He'll soon get a vehicle to drive to doctor appointments.
And he's taking away something else from the whole ordeal.
"I learned that people have good hearts," he said.
If there's extra money donated, Gilbert says he'll use it to pay off medical bills, and hopefully take his wife on a little vacation.
Starkey Hearing Technologies have volunteered to give Gilbert a new set of hearing aids.