The mission of the Tim Orth Memorial Foundation is to assist, financially or otherwise, children (birth to age 18) in the West Central area of Minnesota who are facing substantial medical expenses incurred as a result of a serious accident or illness.  Tim Orth, the Foundation’s name sake, was a junior at BOLD High School in December of 1995, when he was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor.  Tim will always be remembered for his courageous fight against the cancer that claimed his life on February 14, 1997.

Bill Neubauer, one of Tim’s past basketball coaches, with the help of his wife, Janelle, organized and launched the first “Jam the Gym” event upon learning of Tim’s illness.  The success of the 1996 event combined with the realization that there were other children in need, prompted Bill and Janelle to form a non-profit foundation utilizing their own personal resources and contacts. The name chosen for the Foundation was the Tim Orth Memorial Foundation, in honor of Tim, who had inspired the first fundraiser.

The Foundation is an all-volunteer organization presently conducting three fundraisers throughout West Central Minnesota. The volunteers invest countless hours organizing, soliciting and conducting the events.  Because of this, there are no administrative costs; ensuring that 100% of the proceeds are used to help the selected recipients.