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

Project Makeover is based in Gainesville, FL, and focuses on creating dynamic learning environments for underserved students in Alachua County through elementary school makeovers. While Gainesville is a college town and home to the University of Florida, many Alachua County Public Schools face significant funding challenges and often lack the resources to provide optimal learning spaces. As a graduate of both Alachua County Public Schools and the University of Florida, this organization holds a special significance for Avery Harrison.

“My journey with Project Makeover began in 2017 during my freshman year of college, and I remained involved throughout my time at the University of Florida. I served in various roles: as a Volunteer, Recruitment Captain, Team Lead, and ultimately as Executive Director in my senior year. After graduating, I continued my support by serving a term on the Board of Directors.” -Avery Harrison

Donations will transform elementary schools while directly impacting the lives of young students and empowering college students. Additionally, your support could help Project Makeover achieve its goal of expanding to more college towns across Florida and the United States.

Special Olympics Colorado enriches the lives of children and adults with intellectual disabilities through the power of sports, education, and athlete's health. With more than 23,000 athletes competing in 22 different sports around Colorado, state and international levels, every dollar helps fuel inclusive opportunities that empower athletes to build confidence, friendships, and lifelong skills both on and off the field. Tyler Nickle, an Account Executive with Brooksource in Denver, has maintained a strong relationship with Special Olympics Colorado since college and remains involved with the organization.

“I’ve been involved with the Special Olympics for over ten years and had the opportunity of running the Special Olympics program at Colorado State University. It is a cause that is very near and dear to my heart and overall brings a sense of community to everyone involved. With the help of generous donations, we‘re planning to host or sponsor various events, that not only support our athletes but also raise awareness for this incredible cause.” -Tyler Nickle

Tyler has played a key role in facilitating the sponsorship between Brooksource’s Denver Market and Special Olympics Colorado, helping sponsor two major events in 2024 - the Polar Plunge and Plane Pull. Thanks to generous contributions totaling $1.08 million and growing, the Special Olympics can continue to host impactful events like these and provide meaningful support to the athletes and families who are part of this organization.

The Tommy McNamara Charitable Foundation (TMCF) was founded in 2013 to pay tribute to Tommy McNamara, a young man from the Kennebunk community who passed away tragically in 2012. The TMCF’s mission is to raise funds to develop and maintain quality recreational and sports facilities for the enjoyment of the youth of the Kennebunk/Kennebunkport community, something Tommy was passionate about.

“It is great to be a part of something that focuses so much on the value of community and bringing people together, particularly during difficult times. The Foundation was founded to honor my cousin Tommy, who lived his life in that way – always being a connector and not being afraid to have a little fun along the way (sounds like a lot of what we do here at Eight Eleven)! The goal is to encourage the next generation through improving public spaces and providing recreation opportunities to kids & families that otherwise would be unable. Through the generosity of both individuals and organizations like the Eight Eleven Foundation, we are accomplishing those goals and hoping to be able to do it on an even larger scale moving forward!” -Mike McNamara

For over 85 years, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta (BGCMA) has ignited the unlimited potential of children and teens by creating safe, inclusive, and engaging environments. BGCMA’s 25 Clubs located in 9 counties across metropolitan Atlanta have traditionally served nearly 8,000 kids& teens (ages 6-18) each year, offering youth development programs during critical non-school hours that promote academic success, healthy lifestyles, and character and leadership skills.

Thanks to funding from the Eight Eleven Foundation, the Atlanta market was able to provide the materials and volunteers needed to revamp BGCMA’s butterfly garden and front entrance. This project was carried out during Eight Eleven’s E3 Day of Service, its annual day dedicated to volunteering to improve the communities it serves.

“Eight Eleven Atlanta has been proudly partnering with Boys & Girls Club of Chamblee for over 10 years. We are committed to supporting their safe and enriching environment for kids and appreciate the ability to give back to our community. We look forward to the continued partnership in the coming years.” -Makenzie Hayes, Director of Atlanta Operations – Brooksource

2 years ago, one of Eight Eleven Tampa’s recruiters, Lauren Hamilton, unfortunately lost her father to ALS. Since then, Eight Eleven’s Tampa Market has been a diligent partner with foundations related to ALS in the area. Last year, Ben Bobish, Senior Director of South Florida – Brooksource, participated in the CEO Soak, an Ice Bucket Challenge held locally to raise awareness in our community about the disease and support additional research. This year, with Ben leaving the market to take on a new role, Bailey Alfaro, Director of Tampa Operations – Brooksource, was excited to take his place in the CEO Soak event and continue the tradition.

“Working for a company that truly lives its core value of family reminds me why I love what I do. I know my dad would be proud to see us all out here, standing together to support ALS research and the incredible work being done to find a cure.” -Lauren Hamilton, Sr. Technical Recruiter – Brooksource

To participate in the CEO Soak challenge, each “CEO” must raise a minimum of $2,500 for ALS Research. Thanks to the generous support of the Eight Eleven Foundation and the hard work of the Tampa market, the group was able to double that goal and raise $5,000!

For their second appearance on the “25 Acts of Kindness” campaign, members of Eight Eleven’s Columbus team partnered with A Special Wish Foundation – Central Ohio for its annual E3 Day of Service project. Thanks to the funding it received from the Eight Eleven Foundation, the market was able to host a Day at the Park with ASW and the children it supports. The event consisted of writing handwritten birthday and wish-granting cards for each child, stuffing gift bags, a catered lunch, and plenty of games. The children and families of the ASW Foundation especially appreciated this event, as they don't often get many opportunities to gather.

“I understand we've already received one of the 25 Acts of Kindness from the foundation, but the women who run ASW have been incredibly grateful for everything we’ve done so far, thanks to the foundation’s support. Words cannot describe the feeling you get when you put a smile on these kids’ faces. They have been dealt a tough situation at a young age, so anything we can do to make them feel like a kid again makes a big difference!” -Jordan Foulke, Sr. Account Executive - Medasource

BrainUp is a Chicago-based charity dedicated to bringing awareness to brain cancer, a disease that often doesn’t receive the attention it deserves. The organization works to provide support and reassurance to patients and families navigating a brain cancer diagnosis, while also activating the community through fundraising and educational events. By partnering with physicians, researchers, and families, BrainUp strives to advance treatment options and ultimately find a cure.

“I was first introduced to BrainUp through my best friend, whose father passed away from Glioblastoma, an under-researched and terminal illness that took him far too soon. Having also lost my brother, seeing this level of advocacy, purpose, and hope behind BrainUp’s mission truly touches me. What makes BrainUp so special is that it was founded by two parents who lost their own daughter to this same devastating disease. Their dedication to honoring her memory through advocacy, research funding, and direct support to families battling brain cancer is truly inspiring. You can see the hope and purpose that drives them in everything they do.” -Madison Peyton, Sr. Account Executive - Medasource

This year, BrainUp hosted its annual 5K, its largest fundraising event, which reached a record attendance and raised over $750,000 for brain cancer research. As part of our Eight Eleven Foundation’s annual Day of Service, the Chicago market had the opportunity to assist with event setup and logistics. Contributing to an event that means so much to Madison’s family and the broader community was an incredibly rewarding experience and a meaningful way to support their mission to find a cure.

For this year’s E3 Day of Service, our San Francisco market supported Family House San Francisco, a nonprofit that provides free housing, meals, and community for families whose children are receiving treatment at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital. With the support of a donation from the Eight Eleven Foundation, the San Fran office hosted a baseball-themed Family Lunch, celebrating local spirit as the San Francisco Giants took the field that evening. During Family House San Francisco’s baseball-themed hosted lunch, its annual event providing comfort and support to families of children receiving treatment at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital, Eight Eleven’s San Francisco office provided volunteers to serve lunch, interact with families, and manage all meal prep and cleanup for about 50 guests in honor of the Giants vs. Dodgers game.

“I submitted Family House because their mission deeply resonated with me. September was Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and while I can’t begin to imagine what these families endure, I got a glimpse of the emotional toll when my own daughter spent weeks in the NICU after she was born. I remember how hard it was to find a local place to stay and coordinate meals when all I wanted to do was focus on my child. Family House offers a true “home away from home,” easing those burdens and bringing comfort during unimaginably difficult times — something our entire office was excited to help support.” -Presley LeGrande, Sr. Account Executive - Medasource

CARE STL is recognized as a no-kill, open-admission shelter designated as a Best Friends partner, dedicated to saving and caring for the unwanted, abused, neglected, and homeless companion animals of the City of St. Louis. CARE STL aims to build a supportive community grounded in collaboration, compassion, and a caring approach to both people and animals.

“We love partnering with CARE STL, and it helps that almost all of us are pet owners ourselves! Not only does CARE STL provide an outlet for our interests, but they are a pillar within the community that we seek to grow with, as they've taken a firm stance as a No-Kill shelter since their beginning. Being a No-Kill shelter is something few other local shelters have committed to, so we want to spread awareness and increase visits to the CARE STL shelter.” -Logan LaPlant, Account Executive - Brooksource

Thanks to the Eight Eleven Foundation’s support, the St. Louis office was able to spend a day outdoors with dogs from the CARE STL adoption center. Prior to this group pack walk, the office learned about the unfortunate reality that many abandoned animals face and the importance of proper pet care and adoption services for their well-being. By providing these dogs time to experience exercise and affection, Logan hopes to have made a small but significant impact on their lives before adoption.

Indy Champions, part of the Public Safety Foundation, helps victims of domestic violence and their children transition from unsafe homes. It supports families, mainly mothers and children, who leave in emergencies with minimal belongings. The organization addresses immediate and emotional needs, restoring stability, dignity, and hope.

Each year, Indy Champions hosts a Christmas event for families in protective housing. This year, seven families and 25 children were supported through the event. With support from the Eight Eleven Foundation, this year’s event provided winter coats for every child, diapers and pull-ups for infants and toddlers, and a warm holiday meal for all families.

Eight Eleven team member Jim Albin became involved with Indy Champions several years ago while serving with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department. Even after joining the Eight Eleven family, Jim has still been able to stay involved with the group thanks to the assistance of IMPD Detective Tiffany Mastin.

“For many of these families, this is one of the few moments in the year where they feel supported and seen. It’s humbling. These parents aren’t asking for gifts for themselves—they want cleaning supplies, basic necessities, anything that helps them create a home for their kids, even if it’s temporary.” -Jim Albin, Indianapolis Facilities Manager – Eight Eleven Group

Looking ahead, Indy Champions and the Eight Eleven Foundation plan to expand their partnership beyond the holidays to support year-round needs, including essential supplies and future legal assistance for families rebuilding their lives.

Indy Champions is in the process of reorganizing under a new 501(c)(3). If you like to support their mission, please donate to the Eight Eleven Foundation and leave a comment stating your donation is “For Indy Champions."

The Cara Collective is a Chicago-based nonprofit working to break the cycle of poverty and homelessness by helping individuals overcome barriers to employment. Through its Clean Slate program, Cara Collective provides job-readiness training, mock interviews, coaching, and hands-on experience to support job seekers who have historically struggled to access stable employment, including individuals experiencing homelessness and those formerly incarcerated.

This organization was nominated by Brad Holland from Eight Eleven’s Chicago market. Employees volunteer weekly to facilitate mock interviews and job application assistance. By bringing their recruiting expertise to individuals who are unfamiliar with the traditional interview or employment process, the team has seen firsthand how impactful meaningful employment can be.

“The opportunity has been incredibly impactful…not just for the people we’re supporting, but for our team as well. Seeing the enthusiasm and ongoing support that Cara’s staff puts into helping people find and keep jobs has been truly inspiring.” -Brad Holland, Recruiter – Calculated Hire

The Eight Eleven Foundation’s donation supports Cara’s ability to serve cohorts of up to 40 participants at a time, funding essential needs such as applicant technology, Clean Slate program equipment, and support for full-time staff. As this partnership continues to grow, there is strong momentum to explore additional ways to expand impact heading into 2026.

The Icla Da Silva Foundation supports patients for whom a bone marrow transplant is their only cure by providing critical financial, emotional, and logistical assistance. By helping cover essential costs such as transportation, meals, and lodging, the Foundation removes barriers that can otherwise stand between patients and life-saving treatment.

This organization was nominated by Mackenzie Scheier, whose connection began in 2023 after she was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia and learned she would need a bone marrow transplant. Facing financial uncertainty after being laid off, Mackenzie found support through the Icla Da Silva Foundation, which stepped in during a deeply challenging time for her and her family.

“The (Icla Da Silva) foundation provided both financial and emotional support, allowing me to focus on what mattered most—getting better. When you’re going through cancer treatment, everyday stress can feel overwhelming, and their support made a meaningful difference in my journey. I’m incredibly grateful for their impact and look forward to continuing to support the Icla Da Silva Foundation through service events and giving back whenever I can.” -Mackenzie Scheier, Talent Acquisition Partner – Eight Eleven Group

Now in remission, Mackenzie continues to give back whenever possible. During Eight Eleven’s Day of Service, the Hoboken office wrote supportive letters to 130 patients currently receiving care through the Foundation. The Eight Eleven Foundation’s support helps ensure patients undergoing bone marrow transplants receive the resources and encouragement they need when it matters most.

A Precious Child is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting children and families in need by providing access to essential resources in a dignified and welcoming way. Through their storefront model, families can “shop” for clothing, toiletries, books, games, and other necessities, free of charge, creating an experience that feels empowering rather than transactional.

“I’ve loved giving back to the families in my community throughout the years. It’s important to provide resources like this to our neighbors to help uplift everyone in the community.” -Alyssa Hall, Professional Recruiter – Brooksource

In addition to clothing and home goods, A Precious Child assembles critical support kits, including hygiene kits and back-to-school supplies, to meet families’ most immediate needs. The Eight Eleven Foundation’s donation helps fund the materials needed for these kits, ensuring more families have access to essential items during transitions and periods of hardship.

Save the Animals Foundation (STAF) is a Cincinnati-based, no-kill shelter dedicated to rescuing and rehoming abandoned cats and dogs. Run entirely by volunteers and funded solely through donations and fundraisers, STAF ensures every dollar goes directly to animal care, providing each animal with safety, love, and the opportunity for a forever home.

This organization was nominated by Megan Graff, a dedicated STAF volunteer since 2021. Through her volunteering and the assistance of other Eight Eleven employees, each dog receives daily walks, enrichment activities, playdates, home visits with volunteers, and even days at doggy daycare.

“If I can influence anyone reading this, I would say check out your local shelters and adoption agencies prior to getting a dog from a breeder or pet store. There are SO many incredible dogs available for adoption of all breeds (yes, even purebreds)!” -Megan Graff, Professional Recruiter – Medasource

The Eight Eleven Foundation’s contribution enables STAF to continue its life-saving mission of funding medical care, daily needs, and enrichment for animals that other shelters may not be able to support. Through compassion, dedication, and community support, Save the Animals Foundation is truly changing lives, one animal at a time.

Urban Initiatives is a Chicago-based nonprofit using the power of sport and play to help young people thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Through soccer and recess programs, Urban Initiatives serves more than 100,000 Chicago Public School students each year, primarily in underserved communities on the city’s South and West Sides, helping build confidence, teamwork, and essential life skills.

This organization was nominated by Maggie Piazzi, an Associate Board member who was drawn to Urban Initiatives through her lifelong connection to organized sports. After learning about the organization at an Associate Board networking fair, Maggie saw a strong alignment between Urban Initiatives’ mission and the Eight Eleven Foundation’s own values.

“Sports can have a tremendous impact on the academic, social, and emotional development and success of youth and young adults. We often take for granted our access to organized sports programs that not all communities have access to” -Maggie Piazzi, Senior AE – Calculated Hire

The Eight Eleven Foundation’s support truly advances Urban Initiatives’ mission, whether through donations to its annual Soccer Ball fundraiser or to its broader programming. This partnership helps open doors for students to access free, high-quality sports and play experiences they might not otherwise have.

Women & Hi-Tech is an organization that exists to change the landscape of women represented in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) to be equally inclusive to all. Their mission is rooted in advancing women but embraces everyone who believes in building a more diverse, equitable, and innovative community.

This organization was nominated by Brekiesha Weszely, Director of Indianapolis Sales & Operations at Brooksource, and is passionate about making an impact. Upon being named Eight Eleven Group’s “Woman of Impact”, Brekiesha chose to donate $1,000 through the Eight Eleven Foundation to Women & Hi-Tech as a scholarship to support women aspiring to pursue IT or Engineering careers.

“Women & Hi Tech is changing the landscape of women in STEM, and Brooksource is honored to support that mission by representing and empowering women across the Indianapolis tech community. We are proud to provide a scholarship to help a woman in IT or Engineering pursue and build a meaningful career path here in Indy. Together, we create pathways for women to be seen, supported, and successful.” -Brekiesha Weszely, Director of Indianapolis Sales & Operations - Brooksource

With this scholarship, Women of Eight Eleven and Brooksource hope to support a student or career changer who is pursuing an IT or Engineering career in Indianapolis.

Cradles to Crayons helps to end clothing insecurity with children and make a difference in their lives. In the United States, 2 in 5 children live at or below the poverty line. These families struggle to pay for rent or groceries and often cannot afford necessary clothing for their children. Cradles to Crayons works to fill this critical yet overlooked need, also providing school supplies, and other essentials free of charge. Since 2002, the organization has served over 3 million children.

This organization was nominated by Kaylee Tate, a Senior Learning & Development Specialist. Kaylee has been involved with Cradles to Crayons for one year, and she has seen firsthand the incredible impact they make. She has volunteered her time to the organization, helping in the Chicago location, organizing a Gear Up for Winter coat drive to ensure children have warm clothing for harsh Chicago winters, and is planning on attending their annual gala to support fundraising efforts.

Donations directly support the children, and the initiatives behind Cradles to Crayons to make sure children have the essentials.