Central Oregon broker donates $10,000 to search and rescue team, honoring late colleague
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Sean O’Gorman, a broker with John L. Scott Central Oregon, presented a $10,000 donation to the Crag Rats search and rescue organization in memory of his late colleague, Matt Aldridge. The presentation took place Sept. 19 at Smith Rock State Park in Terrebonne, Ore.
The funds originated from real estate transactions O’Gorman completed for clients Aldridge had been working with before his death. Aldridge died while climbing Mount Hood in December 2025, leading his office to direct the sales proceeds to the search and rescue team involved in his recovery.
Aldridge joined the real estate firm in 2025 and established ties with colleagues across the office. Known among co-workers for his love of the outdoors and work ethic, his death deeply affected the office. O’Gorman served as Aldridge’s mentor and stepped in to manage the clients Aldridge had been cultivating.
“Our entire office was deeply impacted by the loss of a young agent, Aldridge, in our community,” O’Gorman said. “I wanted to take action and do something meaningful on behalf of my colleagues and the Aldridge family, while finding a way to commemorate Matt in a way that I felt he would have appreciated.”
Based in Hood River, Ore., the Crag Rats was established in 1926 and is the nation’s oldest all-volunteer mountain search and rescue organization. The group conducts search operations on Mount Hood and across the Columbia River Gorge while promoting mountain safety and public outdoor education.
Volunteers with the Crag Rats played a central role in searching for Aldridge on Mount Hood and ultimately recovering his body. Following the request of Aldridge’s family, O’Gorman directed the proceeds from the real estate sales to the organization.
“Supporting the organization was a way to say thank you for their extraordinary efforts in bringing our friend and colleague home,” O’Gorman said.
The $10,000 contribution will fund the Crag Rats’ 100th Anniversary Training Wall Project. The new facility is designed to improve high-angle search and rescue capabilities, safety and overall team proficiency. It will also serve as a regional training hub for fire departments, emergency agencies and partner rescue teams operating in the Columbia River Gorge.
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