Last Updated on October 22, 2021 by Maggie Sutton
The mid Columbia Pig Bowl, located in Dalles Oregon, is an annual fundraising football game between Washington and Oregon law enforcement members that brings the mid Columbia community together to raise money for local families that need some assistance. On September 22, 2018 the Homes for Heroes Foundation, along with local Homes for Heroes real estate specialist, Heather Wright, and mortgage specialist, Eric Green, provided the Dalles, Oregon Pig Bowl a $5,000 foundation grant to help support the Gibson and Pishion hero families.
Two Hero Families Receive Mid-Columbia Pig Bowl Foundation Grant
The $5,000 grant was split between two families. Holly Gibson, is a teacher for the Dufur school district, and parent of twins Jase and Violet, along with husband Brian Gibson. The portion of the Homes for Heroes Foundation grant that the Gibson family received will help with the needs of their son, Jase. Jerry Pishion, who is employed by the Dufur school district, is also a volunteer firefighter for the Dufur fire department. Along with this wife, Sonya, they have three children named Asher, Noah and Elijah, and the foundation grant will assist the family with their son, Elijah.
Mid Columbia Pig Bowl: Big Game, Big Fun
According to PigBowl.net, the night brought together numerous law enforcement offices from both Washington and Oregon in the mid-Columbia area, and was filled with fun! The Gibson children had their first ride on a fire truck, and Elijah snuck a hug from Sparky the fire dog before they even made it to the field for the game. Members of the Dalles City Police, Washington State Police, Hood River County Sheriff’s Office, Klickitat County Sheriff’s Office, Columbia River Intertribal Enforcement, Wasco County Sheriff’s Office, Skamania County Sheriff’s Office, Bingen/White Salmon Police Department, Hood River Police Department and the Oregon State Police all participated in the evening’s event. Several community high school cheerleading teams kept the crowd fired up, and local vendors provided food and beverages.
At half time, Homes for Heroes specialists Heather Wright and Eric Green, presented the $5,000 grant to the Gibson and Pishion families.
The second half of football boiled down to the final seconds, and believe it or not, Elijah Pishion decided the final score when he scored the final touchdown AND two-point conversion to tie the game! It was only the second time in mid Columbia Pig Bowl history that the game ended in a tie. And, of course, Elijah was carried off the field in celebration, and congratulated by his big brother Noah with a hug.
The total amount raised for the families in need was $41,686 – Beating the 2016 record by $83!
Mid Columbia Pig Bowl’s Mission
The mission of the mid Columbia Pig Bowl is simple, and that’s to rally the community together to provide financial and moral support for an individual or family that has been directly affected by illness, disease, injury or tragedy in the mid Columbia Area.
Pig Bowl Awards Over $277,000 to Help Selected Families
Each year the Pig Bowl board meets to read through multiple nominations of families in need. For many years they played for only one family, then began playing for two families. In 2017 and 2018 they played for three different families in order to help spread the love and financial support to more families in need. Since 2003, the Pig Bowl has raised and distributed over $277,000 to local families and they have always distributed the funds raised evenly between the families selected.
Homes for Heroes, the Homes for Heroes Foundation, and local Homes for Heroes real estate specialist Heather Wright and mortgage specialist Eric Green were honored to participate and contribute to the 2018 Pig Bowl and both the Gibson and Pishion families.
Other Recent Homes for Heroes Foundation Grants:
$5,000 Grant and Tunnel to Towers Help Fallen Officer Family Pay Off Mortgage, Expenses
$5,000 Foundation Grant Supports Fallen Firefighter Captain Barr’s Family in Sun Prairie, WI
