Helena Community Rallies Behind Paralympian Katie Verderber With Watch Party, Fundraiser

Dozens of Helena residents filled Headwaters Crafthouse on Tuesday night to cheer on one of their own: Katie Verderber, a Montana native, U.S. Army veteran and member of Helena's Last Chance Curling Club, competing for Team USA in mixed team wheelchair curling at the Paralympics.

The watch party was the most visible expression of support, but the Helena community had been rallying around Verderber since her Team USA selection in November. Silverman Law Office, where Verderber works, partnered with the Exchange Club of Helena to raise $3,500 for the installation of power-assist motorized devices on the fronts of Team USA's wheelchairs. Silverman contributed $2,500 and the Exchange Club covered the remaining $1,000, with Helena's Last Chance Curling Club facilitating the donation to Team USA.

Jesse Chaney, a spokesperson for Silverman and Verderber's coworker, described the contribution as a straightforward act of workplace solidarity. "She's an employee of ours, and we like to support our employees," Chaney said. "We're big on camaraderie among our staff, and we like to help each other out in any way that we can. And she let us know that there was a need, and we were happy to help with that."

Last Chance Curling Club didn't stop at facilitating the equipment donation. The club separately raised $4,000 to help offset Verderber's travel costs while she trained for the Paralympics, with much of that total generated through merchandise sales.

Kristin Chaney, vice president of the Exchange Club of Helena, said the community response reflected exactly what her organization is built for. "We're really excited about today," she said. "I think one of the greatest parts about the Exchange Club of Helena is that it's made up of a bunch of people who just want to give back to the community. And so, to have the community come together to support Katie is really amazing."

Across the two fundraising efforts, Helena organizations collectively directed $7,500 toward Verderber's Paralympic campaign, a figure that underscores how deeply the city has invested in seeing a hometown veteran reach the world stage.