The Eight Eleven Foundation’s 25 Acts of Kindness

Athletics & Beyond is a Denver-based philanthropy that combines physical fitness and professional mentoring to empower the underprivileged youth in the Denver Metropolitan area. In addition to this support from the Eight Eleven Foundation, Brooksource is also a Gold Level Sponsor of Athletics & Beyond. As a Gold Level Sponsor, the organization sponsored multiple student interns and equipped them with transferable business skills. The Denver Market looks forward to expanding its partnership with Athletics & Beyond and taking in more student interns for the 2025-2026 school year.

Cofounded in 2018 by Colin Gerner after experiencing his brother’s battle with Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM), a highly aggressive, fast-growing brain tumor, StacheStrong is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit devoted to raising funds and awareness for brain cancer research. Defeating brain cancer and improving the quality of patients’ lives is the organization’s daily focus. With the help of supporters like Erica Turco and the Eight Eleven Foundation, StacheStrong has funded over $5,000,000 of brain cancer research to date!

In the early days of its inception, Colin was a crucial advisor in guiding the board through the proper paperwork and finances to become a 501(c)(3) organization.

"Colin's knowledge in the nonprofit world was instrumental in the fabric of the bylaws, and we couldn’t have done it without him. It was only fitting that one of our first 25 Acts of Kindness would support StacheStrong—a cause close to Colin’s heart, where he channels his passion into advancing brain cancer research in honor of his brother.” -Carlie Oakley, President of the Eight Eleven Foundation

Since 2004, the American Heart Association’s signature women's initiative, Go Red for Women, has addressed the awareness and clinical care gaps of women’s greatest health threat, cardiovascular disease (CVD). Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer of women, with nearly 45% of women ages 20+ living with some form of cardiovascular disease. One of those women is Brooksource’s Associate Vice President of Operations, Carrie Kuppart. Heart disease has always been in the background of Carrie’s life, with both her dad’s and grandpa’s battles with the disease being core memories of her childhood. However, she never expected to be diagnosed with the disease herself since most of her exposure revolved around it only affecting men. That all changed at the age of 38, when Carrie was diagnosed with coronary artery disease.

Instead of being defeated, Carrie saw her diagnosis as an opportunity to do more. “As someone who prioritizes health and wellness, I was surprised to learn that I had a 25% blockage in my left coronary artery... The silence of this disease is what's scariest, and it's why I'm so passionate about preventative care and education,” explained Carrie. In 2025, from February 7th to April 10th, Carrie joined the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women’s “Woman of Impact” campaign and used her story to help raise funds and spread awareness. The Eight Eleven Foundation was proud to support Carrie in this noble cause.

The Music Wellness Program engages patients in therapeutic musical activities tailored to each patient’s individual needs, aiming to improve their speech and language, cognitive abilities, and sensorimotor function. This program targets patients who have experienced a stroke, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, or other neurological disorders and injuries. The inclusion of music therapy in traditional treatment plans stimulates patients to complete more functional tasks and enhances the overall recovery journey.

“My family and I have been familiar with NRH for nearly 25 years, beginning when my father (Robert Marsteller) spent months there recovering after a car crash that left him paralyzed from the waist down. We were fortunate to be living in Washington, DC, minutes from where NRH was ready to provide exceptional rehabilitative care. NRH’s doctors, nurses, and therapists allowed him to regain far greater mobility than expected, offering a full life ahead of relative independence that would have otherwise been impossible.” -Wiley Marsteller

Finally, after regaining significant function and returning home, Robert’s focus turned to giving back to MedStar Health and helping others rebuild their lives following disabling injuries and illnesses. Robert joined the philanthropy team at MedStar NRH in 2005 and has played an integral role in many of its successful philanthropic initiatives, including the creation of its musical therapy program. NRH relies on philanthropy, like the support of the Eight Eleven Foundation, to assist patients who cannot afford the full cost of treatment, as well as to fund impactful initiatives like the music therapy program.

Originating in 1982, A Special Wish Foundation, Inc. (ASW), has granted over 4,000 “special” wishes in 43 states and the District of Columbia. ASW was the first wish-granting organization in Ohio and the third in the nation at the time. It was founded by Ramona Fickle, a former hospice volunteer, who was concerned about the lack of services for children with life-threatening illnesses.

“I've been associated with ASW since the middle of 2023, which is when we first started planning our first E3 Day of Service with them. Since then, we've supported the organization with a bedroom remodel, multiple gift-wrapping parties, hosted our own Wish Reveal party in the Columbus office, and joined them at the airport to send off a Wish child to Disney World. The Eight Eleven Foundation’s donation is actually what made this wish come true!” -Jordan Foulke