OUR HOSTS
Heather Thaller
Mpls / Saint Paul, Minnesota
Hi! I am Heather Thaller and I am a mom of two boys, a wife and someone that looks to be inspired! I joined BenefitCrashers in the Fall of 2018, thanks to my hockey mom friend and creator Laura. I absolutely love everything about it. Being able to bring comfort to others, while spending time with my family and friends is very important to me, along with being able to give back. We get way more out of it than we feel we are giving. The crashes I have been on have been life changing. I am excited to be your host and learn more about you! Let’s crash together!
Jackie Rieck
Mpls / Saint Paul, Minnesota
Hello!! My name is Jackie Rieck an ‘on-the-go’ mom of 2 amazing boys and married to a wonderful husband, Jeff! We live in Waconia and LOVE our community – yes, we are a bit biased as Jeff and I are both born and raised here. In addition to our full-time jobs, Jeff also farms ‘on the side’. As you can imagine, 3 jobs plus being professional taxi drivers for our boys and their sports keep us moving! We love every minute of it!!
I’m so excited to be your host for sweet Madelyn and know you’ll fall in love with Benefit Crasher’s the way I did on my first crash for Diane! Such an overwhelmingly positive experience to love up on a family that is struggling and facing some of their darkest moments. The joy it brought to my heart lit a fire inside me – I’m so grateful for Benefit Crashers’s and their mission. #HopeCrashesHardship
Katie Masog
Chaska, Minnesota
My name is Katie Masog and I am a mom of three sweet children, married to my funny husband Tom and an accountant at a shortline railroad in Glencoe, MN. We live in Waconia where we are surrounded by wonderful friends. I heard about Benefit Crashers from a co-worker who shared the story that Fox-9 News did about Benefit Crashers. If you haven't seen it, you can see it here ---> https://www.fox9.com/news/benefit-crashers-bring-strength-optimism-to-minnesota-communities
I decided I wanted to attend a crash and waited until one was closer to home for me. I reached out to my hockey friends who have now become family to me. As you can imagine everyone was pretty busy, but three other hockey mom's were able to work it into their schedule and joined me. We didn't know what to expect. We got there and waited for the rest of the crasher's to arrive. We felt a little out of place and waited patiently to receive directions about what we were supposed to do. Leah and Laura welcomed the four of us as if they had known us our entire life. Their excitement and love was contagious. And surprising the benefit recipient (Diane) was the neatest, most humbling experience I had ever experienced. The four of us hockey mom's showed Diane our support, listened to her, laughed with her, prayed with her and cried. She was such an inspiration to us. We were so moved that the four of us vowed to do this again and again. Showing our support and love to complete strangers is the best gift we can give others and ourselves. It's life changing!
In addition to volunteering with BenefitCrashers, I also volunteer at my children's school, my son's hockey team and Memorial Blood Center. I love spending time with my family and friends, giving hugs, traveling, baking, shopping, decorating and walking.
I am very excited to be your host and to crash with you by showing hope to crash other's hardships!
Jamie Kirchner
Mpls / Saint Paul, Minnesota
My name is Jamie Kirchner and my passion for benefit crashers and giving back was given to me by my beautiful mother. She passed of Alzheimer’s in 2018 but I want to make sure the best of her stays through my sister (Jodi- also a crasher and my best friend) and I. She taught me that putting others first is the best way to happiness and BenefitCrashers does this in spades. I also try to role model these behaviors in my daily life and a big part of that life is my job as a Middle School Science teacher. I absolutely am in love with my job and all my rugrats . Some of my other loves are my family, my friends, my golden retriever Darwin and spreading a positive message whenever I can. I am so thankful for this opportunity to host for BenefitCrashers and help spread hope through hardship with so many amazing people at my side.
Jodi Mayrand
Mpls / Saint Paul, Minnesota
My name is Jodi Mayrand and I am a wife and proud mom of 2 hilarious and crazy boys. Benefit Crashers to me has been many things. I have loved seeing my friend's dream come true as she is so passionate about being there for others. It has been such a fulfilling thing to bring my boys to these crashes so they can experience the awesome feeling of people showing their true gratitude for what we are doing and they see what a difference you can make in someone's life just by being there. One more thing, THE PEOPLE!! I love meeting all the wonderful people who are all passionate about the same thing. It really is a great time crashing benefits!!!
Don & Mary Ann (Mertz)
Mpls / Saint Paul, Minnesota
We are from Prior Lake and joined the Benefit Crashers during 2019 after attending a benefit and seeing the “Crashers” surprise everyone with their smiles, love and support. We love being a part of a group that helps to lift up a person and family in need. We love to support them financially, personally and spiritually.
Jenny Williams
Eagan, Minnesota
I live in Eagan with my husband Mike, our two children and our dog Blaze. When I’m not working, I enjoy watching my kiddos do what they love. My daughter Abby is on the Eastview Lightning Dance Team and Track team. My son Ben also keeps us busy as he plays hockey and baseball. When we aren’t watching sports we enjoy traveling, camping and spending time with our family and friends. I got involved with BenefitCrashers because of my dear friend Laura. I love supporting her and love being part of the BenefitCrashers movement! It’s a great way to spend time with family and friends while supporting others going through hardship. I hope to Crash with you someday soon!
Amy Olson
Red Wing, Minnesota
Amy Olson has lived in rural Red Wing, MN since 1999. Happily married and a mother of three, she and her husband own and operate a landscaping business, Scenic Spaces. Amy is a gardener, artist and designer who is passionate about bringing beauty to the world. She joined the Benefit Crashers shortly after the group attended a benefit for her nephew in November of 2019. "I am brought to tears when I remember back to that time. Our family had not heard of your group and were overwhelmed with gratitude when we learned that a bunch of strangers were showing up to support us. I want to bring that feeling to as many families as I can.