About the Nonprofit
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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. The name chosen for the Foundation was the Tim Orth Memorial Foundation, in honor of Tim, who had inspired the first fundraiser.
The TOMF is an all-volunteer organization presently conducting three annual 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.
In Tim’s memory, over 250 families have received financial assistance for children who are fighting to overcome difficult challenges brought on by illness or accident. Some of these challenges include complications due to cancer, brain injury, automobile accidents, premature birth and numerous other diagnoses we cannot even pronounce. A few of the children are listed below:
Mia, 4 – Wilms Tumor Taylor – Premature Birth
Addison, 4 months – Spina Bifida Tate, 12 – Stage III Lymphoma
McKenzie, 5 – Epilepsy Luke, 6 – Brain Tumor
Philip, 13 – Rare Muscular Dystrophy Mason, 10 – Angelman Syndrome
Sara, 14 – Leukemia Levi, 6 – Congenial Heart Disease
The Foundation assists the families with reimbursement or payment of expenses sustained for their child. The expenses eligible can range from medical treatment, therapy equipment, travel needs or home upgrades based on each child’s individual needs.
Support is received from local and statewide businesses and organizations in the form of monies, raffle items and silent auction items. The Minnesota Twins, Timberwolves, Gophers and Vikings are among the many statewide organizations that believe in our cause. We hope that through the continued support of everyone involved, we can continue to make the Tim Orth Memorial Foundation’s work successful. While the financial help offered can’t guarantee miracles, it does mean hope for the families involved.
