Joe Gibbons and John Cullen moved to the Vail Valley in 1995 and have steadily become more involved in the community. Driven by a desire to give back, the couple has made a planned gift to Vail Health Behavioral Health to help ensure access to quality mental health care. They are also devoted supporters of Mountain Pride, one of Vail Health’s nonprofit partners—all part of who they are and the legacy they hope to leave behind.
“We’ve used the services. We see how important they are in the valley, and all the people who use them. After talking it over, we felt it was important to give back in a meaningful way,” says Joe.
Pathway to Purpose
Joe grew up in Cleveland, and John in Willmar, Minnesota. Both were raised by families who taught them the value of giving back to their communities. After college, the two ended up in Minneapolis, where mutual friends introduced them. Over time, their connection grew, and they have now been together for 37 years.
While in Minneapolis, Joe served on the board of the Human Rights Campaign and co-chaired its Federal Club, and both were active in the local arts and nonprofit scene. After relocating to Los Angeles for five years, Joe’s job gave them the flexibility to live anywhere. John suggested they settle in Vail, and they have called Colorado home ever since—enjoying the outdoors and staying true to causes that matter to them.
Committed to the Valley
Dedicated to supporting their community, Joe and John have made gifts to Mountain Pride, where Joe also sits on the board, and both are active volunteers at The Community Market and local fundraisers. That same commitment extends to the health care that serves those around them.
Their connection to Vail Health began in their first year, when Joe’s father was taken to the emergency room after an unexpected reaction to the altitude. Impressed by the care he received, it was the start of a relationship with Vail Health that has only grown. When John later developed a cerebellar condition following an accident, affecting his balance and energy, Howard Head Sports Medicine became an important part of their lives, along with the support of Vail Health Foundation’s 24/7 Program.
“When you’re dealing with a lot at once, having people who actually care and help you through it makes all the difference,” says John.
A Legacy in Behavioral Health Care
Behavioral health also holds special meaning for Joe and John. As members of the LGBTQ+ community who have navigated their own challenges around acceptance and belonging, they understand firsthand why that kind of support matters for people living in a small mountain community and have witnessed what Vail Health Behavioral Health has built for the valley.
“After seeing the work that had gone into building Vail Health Behavioral Health, and talking to others who’ve experienced it—being gay, being in the valley, all the mental health issues that people are dealing with up here—it becomes a microcosm,” says Joe.
Their planned gift reflects the legacy they want to leave behind. By supporting behavioral health, Joe and John hope to help ensure these services remain here for the long term, offering the same care and connection to others for years to come.
To learn more about giving options that meet your specific needs and goals, please contact Foundation@vailhealth.org or 970.569.7766.
You support things that support you. Vail Health has supported us in really important ways throughout these years.” – Joe Gibbons