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Thayer Family Foundation Raises $535,000 to Help House Veterans

West Linn, OR. The Thayer Family Foundation held its official launch party and fundraiser on September 11th at Mike and Kristy Thayer’s Pete’s Mountain Vineyard and Winery. At the event, Tommy Thayer (Board President) & Amy Maxwell (Board Member) helped auction off a Billy Gibbons Guitar. The event raised $535,000 to help Oregon veterans who do not have a home.

Thayer Family Foundation was founded in 2020 with the goal of “Serving Those Who Have Served Others.” The organization was established by Thayer family members in honor of their father, the late Brigadier General James B. Thayer. The focus of the foundation is to support the needs of Oregon veterans, military personnel, and first responders; and those dedicated to societal and culturally significant fields such as educators, musicians, and artists.

Kristy Thayer (Board Member) & Tracy Ann Gill (Board Secretary)

A live auction featured a KISS ultimate concert experience, a custom Harley Davidson motorcycle signed by KISS, exclusive wine tastings, and golf outings.

A gourmet farm-to-table dinner by Allium was proceeded by Portland’s Patrick Lamb’s sax instrumental of “America the Beautiful.”

Nicole DeCosta. & John Thayer (Board Treasurer)

The evening was capped by a special musical performance by American Idol winner Caleb Johnson, Chicago founding member and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame drummer Danny Seraphine, Chicago’s Bill Champlin, Patrick Lamb and KISS guitarist Tommy Thayer.

Aimee and Chris Norch

Thayer brothers Mike, John, and Tommy welcomed guests and spoke of their father’s leadership and community advocacy, and the charitable values both their parents (James and Patricia Thayer) taught them.

Chris Aiosa, Executive Director of Do Good Multnomah, an Oregon-based non-profit that provides supportive housing and low-barrier emergency shelter to houseless veterans in Oregon, spoke of houselessness in Portland reaching crisis levels and finding help for vets currently on the streets. The Thayer Family Foundation’s 2021 initiative is to fund veterans’ housing and find solutions to the houselessness issues in Portland.

The Thayer Family Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt corporation located at 6200 SW Virginia Avenue, Ste 210, Portland, Oregon 97239.

Donations can be made at www.thayerfamilyfoundation.org or contact info@thayerfamilyfoundation.org.

Elisa Klein

I’ve been a professional journalist and writer since 1987, (and long-time reporter for KOIN-TV.) As a nationally published reporter, with a Master’s Degree in Journalism, I love to report positive news and information. Journalism has also connected me with another non-profit where I served as a leader; the Northwest’s biggest writer’s organization: The Willamette Writers.