“I Am One of A Kind” Award

Scott Struthers

At Tilly’s Life Center (TLC), we are so grateful for the various individuals and corporate sponsors who contribute substantially to our growth and mission year after year. At our 2nd Annual “I Am Giving” Gala, five years ago, we began a tradition of honoring a supporter who has contributed directly to the TLC program with the “I Am One of A Kind” Award. This year’s recipient, Scott Struthers continues to demonstrate his ongoing support for TLC year after year. We are grateful for his dedication to ours and other organizations such as his own, Elephant Cooperation.

Scott Struthers is an award-winning entrepreneur and co-creator, with longtime friend Geoff Spencer, of Sonance – the world’s first high fidelity in-wall speaker system found in luxury homes worldwide. Struthers has also founded several other innovative companies including: iPort, a leader in wireless charging and protection systems for Apple’s iPad and Strut, a custom accessory brand for luxury cars. Born in Minnesota and the son of a biologist, Scott Struthers has always loved animals. At 15 years old, Scott took his first trip to Africa, where he discovered the magic of the continent and its incredible animals. In 2013, he decided to focus his time, funds, and energy on elephants.  His heart hurt to see these iconic beings heading for extinction and wanted his grandchildren to have the same opportunity of seeing elephants and other fantastic animals. As a result, Elephant Cooperation was officially founded in 2016.

Today, Struthers is a full-time philanthropist and has devoted the majority of his time and resources to help children, wildlife, and the environment through his non-profits: Sonance Foundation and Elephant Cooperation. Sonance Foundation focuses on social issues, education, and the environment in the local community.  Elephant Cooperation, a public charity, focuses on elephant conservation and helping communities & children in Africa, and more recently COVID hunger relief through ‘Elephants to the Rescue’.

Scott, Sonance Foundation and Elephant Cooperation are truly givers of their resources and of their hearts. We are grateful for their faith in our mission and incredible friendship over the years. Join us in congratulating Scott on this award.

“I Am Inspiring” Award

Tilly’s Life Center (TLC) recognizes community partners who have done an unparalleled job in making sure that our community and especially our youth have access to vital resources to support their overall happiness, success and mental health. At the same Gala, five years ago, we also began a tradition of honoring a community partner for their ongoing inspiration to TLC with the “I Am Inspiring” Award. This year we are proud to recognize Union Bank for their dedication to philanthropy and also to our mission.

In addition to helping Tilly’s Life Center with the awarding and forgiveness of our Paycheck Protection Program Loans during the challenging height of the Pandemic, Union Bank has graciously supported TLC at many different fundraising events and campaigns throughout the years. Union Bank is an organization that truly embraces Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). They have even created an entire division to implement the guiding principles of the Union Bank CSR program. In 2019 alone, their charitable investment in the community exceeded $17.6 million. As part of their program, they create partnerships with local communities, volunteers and bank employees to help meet goals to stabilize or revitalize low- and moderate-income communities, promote social equity and support environmental concerns.

They are a big believer in Tilly’s Life Center as an organization and personally amongst their team. We are beyond grateful for their ongoing support in our mission and ask that you join us in congratulating Union Bank on this award.