In a heartfelt ceremony at Smith Rock State Park on Sept. 19, Bend‑area real‑estate broker Sean O’Gorman handed a $10,000 donation to the Crag Rats, the nation’s oldest all‑volunteer mountain search‑and‑rescue organization. The gift honors the memory of Matt Aldridge, a fellow agent who died while climbing Mount Hood in December 2025.
From real‑estate deals to rescue funding
The money comes from the proceeds of real‑estate transactions O’Gorman completed for clients Aldridge had been serving before his untimely death. After Aldridge’s family requested that the sales proceeds support the rescue team that helped locate and recover his body, O’Gorman stepped in as mentor and took responsibility for those clients, ultimately directing the funds to the Crag Rats.
Crag Rats’ historic role
Based in Hood River and founded in 1926, the Crag Rats have long been a lifeline for hikers, climbers and outdoor enthusiasts throughout the Columbia River Gorge. Volunteers conduct search operations on Mount Hood and across the gorge, while also offering mountain‑safety education and public‑outdoor programs.
Volunteers from the Crag Rats were instrumental in the search for Aldridge on Mount Hood and in bringing his remains home. Their dedication left a deep impression on his colleagues, prompting O’Gorman’s contribution as a way to say thank you for the team’s extraordinary efforts.
Funding a new training wall
The $10,000 will fund the Crag Rats’ 100th‑anniversary Training Wall Project. The new facility is designed to improve high‑angle rescue capabilities, enhance safety, and raise overall team proficiency. It will also serve as a regional training hub for fire departments, emergency agencies and partner rescue teams operating throughout the Columbia River Gorge.
“Supporting the organization was a way to say thank you for their extraordinary efforts in bringing our friend and colleague home,” O’Gorman said.
Community impact
The donation underscores the strong ties between local businesses and nonprofit volunteers in Central Oregon. By channeling real‑estate proceeds into lifesaving infrastructure, the broker’s gesture highlights how private‑sector professionals can bolster community safety and preserve the region’s outdoor heritage.
For residents who enjoy the mountains, the enhanced training wall promises better‑prepared rescuers and, ultimately, safer experiences on the trails.
Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.
