About Us

This year I would like to nominate CASA of Lane County. As a parent and grandparent, an organization like this that advocates for children is close to my heart. From their website: “CASA of Lane County (Court Appointed Special Advocates) is a Springfield, Oregon-based social services organization that provides trained volunteers to advocate for abused and neglected children in foster care, ensuring their voices are heard in court and helping them find safe, permanent homes”.

Frozen Ice Sports manages the infrastructure and public facilities that serve countless youth and adult sports organizations in our community. Growing up in Colorado (Caitlin) and Canada (Barry), hockey – the best sport ever - shaped who we are—building friendships, character, and strong communities. Here in Oregon, the climate doesn’t allow for natural pond hockey like we were fortunate to enjoy. Instead, the community relies on Frozen Ice Sports to maintain the rink so ice sports can continue to thrive in Eugene. Their work ensures kids and adults alike have a place to learn, compete, and connect through the tradition of ice sports. It is our honor to nominate Frozen Ice Sports for this year’s Giving Gorilla program. Supporting them means investing in the health, connection, and growth of our community for generations to come.

This year we (Tanja and Ally) and have jointly chosen a program to support that is near and dear to our hearts. Webfoot Juniors is a nonprofit volleyball club that has been operating in Eugene, Oregon for 23 years. They strive to offer high level volleyball training to young people of all ages, genders, and abilities. They offer programs such as club teams, academy training (for younger kids) and individual lessons. We love that Webfoot is providing different levels of opportunity to the kids in our community who are excited about playing volleyball. As with everything, the cost of participating in youth sports has been increasing steadily year over year. It costs thousands of dollars to participate in a club volleyball season, and this cost puts a lot of pressure on families and exclude some kids from being able to participate. Our donation will go directly to Webfoot’s scholarship fund/financial aid program, providing vital financial support and removing financial barriers for those who can use a little extra help.

Friends of the Children selects children who face multiple systemic obstacles and commit to each child and their family for the long-term. 12+ years, no matter what. Each child is paired with a paid professional mentor called a Friend. Friends advocate and help amplify the voices of our youth and their families who often become voiceless in the midst of the systemic failures. Every caregiver in the child's life is also provided consistent support. Friends of the Children is the first and only long-term professional mentoring program in the country.

My first born is a Kindergartener and I’ve selected to sponsor their fun run this year! $250 got Gorilla Capital logo on the t-shirts for all students and staff! Plus, our logo on the Fun Run billboard facing Willagillespie Rd, which is set to stay there all year long, and the below shoutout in the WillaG newsletter emailed to all families. Funds are collected by the PTO (a 501(k) non-profit) and used for various events, supported programs and staff/school requests throughout the year. Some examples of how funds are used: to feed 60+ low-income families that attend WillaG, $400 to each teacher for school supplies, a field trip per class, popcorn Fridays and various family events (Fun Run, Spooktacular event, Fall/Winter/Spring Family Night, Book fair). We’re excited to a part of the Willagillespie Community!

John is proud to support South Eugene High School Water Polo, a program that holds a special place in his heart. His son, Dean, competed with the team and John himself had the honor of being the announcer, making it a memorable family experience. With John’s company being based in Eugene, giving back to this organization is a meaningful way to celebrate both his community ties and his family’s connection to the sport.

I would like to nominate the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. Since 9/11, Tunnel to Towers Foundation has been helping America’s heroes by providing mortgage-free homes to Gold Star and fallen first responder families with young children and by building specially adapted smart homes for catastrophically injured veterans and first responders. They are also committed to eradicating veteran homelessness. Each smart home is designed to address the unique needs of each individual. Smart homes host a myriad of features such as automated doors and lighting, wider halls and doorways, special showers to accommodate wheelchairs, automatic door openers, cabinets, counters, and stove tops that can be raised and lowered, back-up generators, and central heating and air conditioning systems that can be controlled by tablets. These homes help our most severely injured veterans to reclaim their day-to-day independence. They also aim to pay off the mortgages of fallen law enforcement officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty that leave behind young children. The Foundation’s goal is to ensure stability and security to these families facing sudden, tragic loss and provide a mortgage-free home to surviving spouses with young children.