Gonzo’s Legacy: The Zack Defreitas Project

Gonzo’s Legacy: The Zack Defreitas Project Gonzo's Legacy is an Illinois based 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to the legacy of Zack Defreitas

One of the primary goals of Gonzo's Legacy is to raise awareness about colorectal cancer in young people. Colorectal cancer is often thought of as a disease that affects older adults, but it can strike at any age. Our organization aims to educate young people about the importance of early detection and regular screenings, as well as to provide support and resources for those who are currently batt

ling the disease.
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In addition to raising awareness about colorectal cancer, Gonzo's Legacy is also dedicated to helping underserved youth in the hockey community. The organization provides material support and financial aid to young hockey players who may be facing financial or other challenges that could prevent them from participating in the sport they love. By removing these barriers, Gonzo's Legacy is helping to ensure that all young people have access to the benefits and joys of playing the sport that Zack dedicated so much of his life to.
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Gonzo's Legacy is a testament to the enduring impact that Zack had on the world around him. Through the work of the organization, his memory lives on, and his commitment to helping others continues to make a difference in the lives of countless individuals. Whether by raising awareness about colorectal cancer or ensuring a young hockey player can play the sport they love, Gonzo's Legacy is a powerful force for good in the world, and a fitting tribute to the remarkable person who inspired its creation.

We are proud to support our friends over at The Springfield Youth Hockey Association!
08/20/2026

We are proud to support our friends over at The Springfield Youth Hockey Association!

07/30/2026

The 360 Photo Booth videos are ready!

Judging by the video below, some of you had just as much fun off the ice as you did on it.

Use the link below to find & download your videos from this year’s ZACK DEFREITAS SKATE FOR A CURE PRESENTED BY SIMMONS CANCER INSTITUTE.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Y49FsonSNPROe11A8xuWKb2BwWzyqaRy?usp=sharing

Once you find yours, be sure to save it to your device. Feel free to share it & tag Gonzo’s Legacy so we can see your favorites!

A huge shoutout to Springfield Photo Booth Rental for providing the 360 Photo Booth & giving everyone another fun way to remember an incredible day.

07/29/2026

Thank you to everyone who came out for the 4th Annual Skate for a Cure at the Nelson Center this past Saturday, July 25th!!

Whether you played, volunteered, sponsored, donated, or simply came to support, you helped make this year's event one to remember.

For the first time since starting this project, we had the biggest turnout yet and we couldn't be more appreciative to our sponsor at Simmons Cancer Institute at SIU School of Medicine for helping us make all of this possible!!

We had a total of...
22 teams hit the ice
160 players of all age ranges
44 games of 3v3 hockey
500+ attendees
$36,000 raised

We're grateful for this amazing community and everyone who continues to support Gonzo's Legacy: The Zack Defreitas Project.

Until next year. 💙

🚨Sound the alarm - The pizza has arrived!🚨Shoutout to Dillon's Pizza, this year’s OFFICIAL Pizza Sponsor of the THE ZACK...
07/25/2026

🚨Sound the alarm - The pizza has arrived!🚨

Shoutout to Dillon's Pizza, this year’s OFFICIAL Pizza Sponsor of the THE ZACK DEFREITAS SKATE FOR A CURE PRESENTED BY SIMMONS CANCER INSTITUTE.

That’s right. Official Pizza Sponsor.

Not “some random pizza that showed up.” ❌🚫
Not “technically edible rink food.”🚫
Not “those other guys.”🚫

Official.

We would like to extend a HUGE thank you to Dillon’s Pizza for dropping off the first of 60 Pizzas to help feed our players, volunteers, families & the rink crew keeping this event moving today. Because after a full day of hockey, fundraising, chasing kids around the rink, and trying to keep 500 parents, players & patrons happy, pizza is not a luxury. It is survival.

And thankfully, Dillon’s happens to have the best pizza in town.

We are incredibly grateful for their generosity & their support of Gonzo’s Legacy. Sponsors like Dillon’s help us take care of the people who show up for this event, while allowing us to keep pushing our mission forward in Zack’s memory.

So here's to you, Dillon’s Pizza, for feeding the crew & supporting this year’s Skate For A Cure. Without you, some men would starve!

Our next Bracket Sponsor absolutely BRINGS THE PARTY every year at THE ZACK DEFREITAS SKATE FOR A CURE PRESENTED BY SIMM...
07/25/2026

Our next Bracket Sponsor absolutely BRINGS THE PARTY every year at THE ZACK DEFREITAS SKATE FOR A CURE PRESENTED BY SIMMONS CANCER INSTITUTE!

Springfield Photo Booth Rental has been a consistent supporter of The Zack Defreitas Project since the launch of our 501(c)(3) in 2023, donating services & silent auction packages every year to help us raise money for our mission. Their support helps make our events more fun, more successful, and more memorable for the whole family.

As a highly rated local photo booth rental business operating across central Illinois for over 10 years, Springfield Photo Booth Rental has helped HUNDREDS of events create lasting memories. Whether it's a corporate party, wedding, high school prom or a charity hockey tournament, they are the best in the business. And for that, we are thankful that they continue to help us create meaningful moments in Zack’s memory while raising money along the way.

Stop by The Nelson Center TODAY during The Skate For A Cure between 10a-8p to walk the red carpet & give their newest 360 Photo Booth a whirl - You won't regret it!

The day is finally here!After months of planning, hundreds of volunteer hours, incredible sponsor support, and a communi...
07/25/2026

The day is finally here!

After months of planning, hundreds of volunteer hours, incredible sponsor support, and a community that continues to rally behind this cause, the 4th Annual ZACK DEFREITAS SKATE FOR A CURE PRESENTED BY SIMMONS CANCER INSTITUTE is finally here!

But today isn’t just about hockey.

It’s about honoring Zack’s memory. It’s about raising awareness for colorectal cancer. It’s about helping local kids get the opportunity to fall in love with the game of hockey. And most importantly, it’s about proving what a community can accomplish when it comes together for something bigger than itself.

Whether you’re playing, coaching, volunteering, sponsoring, bidding in the Silent Auction, buying 50/50 tickets, or simply stopping by to cheer on the teams, THANK YOU! You are part of something special.

The doors open at 9 this morning, the puck drops at 10:00 AM, and we can’t wait to see the Nelson Center packed all day long.

Be sure to:
• Check out our Silent Auction & 50/50 Raffle
• Visit our sponsors & vendor tables
• Grab some tournament merchandise
• Stop by the bake sale
• Take a spin on the 360 Photo Booth
• And most importantly…cheer…loudly!

Let’s make this our biggest & best Skate For A Cure yet. Let’s show this community what Gonzo’s Legacy is all about:

100 Kids Equipped. $100,000 Raised. One Amazing Legacy.

Come Out. Support. Pack The Rink For Zack.

He would’ve done it for you.

Next, we'd like to introduce another Bronze Sponsor of this year’s ZACK DEFREITAS SKATE FOR A CURE PRESENTED BY SIMMONS ...
07/25/2026

Next, we'd like to introduce another Bronze Sponsor of this year’s ZACK DEFREITAS SKATE FOR A CURE PRESENTED BY SIMMONS CANCER INSTITUTE:

Scheels!

As an event built around hockey, community & giving back, support from a major company so connected to local sports & recreation in the Springfield community means a lot to us.

Without nationally renowned corporate sponsors like SCHEELS, so much of the work we aim to achieve each year simply would not be possible. We are beyond grateful to have the support of our local Scheels store to help make that work possible.

Thank you to SCHEELS for supporting this year’s Skate For A Cure & helping us continue building something meaningful in Zack’s memory.

It is an honor that we have the opportunity to recognize Springfield Clinic as a Bronze Sponsor of this year’s ZACK DEFR...
07/24/2026

It is an honor that we have the opportunity to recognize Springfield Clinic as a Bronze Sponsor of this year’s ZACK DEFREITAS SKATE FOR A CURE PRESENTED BY SIMMONS CANCER INSTITUTE!

With colorectal cancer awareness & education being a pillar of our organization's mission, support from local healthcare leaders like Springfield Clinic matters a great deal to us.

The Zack Defreitas Project was created to honor Zack's legacy while encouraging young athletes to take their health seriously, especially when something does not feel right.

Springfield Clinic’s support helps us continue sharing that message while also helping us grow the hockey side of our mission, which aims to remove financial barriers for kids who want the chance to play the sport that Zack dedicated so much of his life to.

Thank you to Springfield Clinic for supporting The Zack Defreitas Project & continuing to help us carry Zack’s legacy forward through awareness, action & community.

The members of our Board of Directors would like to take a moment to recognize Ali From Allure The Salon as not just a B...
07/24/2026

The members of our Board of Directors would like to take a moment to recognize Ali From Allure The Salon as not just a Bracket Sponsor of this year’s THE ZACK DEFREITAS SKATE FOR A CURE PRESENTED BY SIMMONS CANCER INSTITUTE, but also as a friend to this organization & a steadfast supporter of the work we do each year.

A special thank you to Ali Kuhn for always supporting Gonzo’s Legacy: The Zack Defreitas Project & helping us continue this mission in Zack’s memory.

Every sponsor plays a role in making this event possible. Support from local businesses & individuals allows us to continue raising awareness for colorectal cancer and provide as many kids with hockey equipment who want to play this great sport.

Thank you to Allure The Salon & Ali Kuhn for supporting this year’s Skate For A Cure and helping us carry Zack’s legacy forward - Our mission would not be possible without the generosity of community focused small business owners like you!

Out of all the generous sponsors who have supported our mission over the years, if you were to ask us which one we can a...
07/24/2026

Out of all the generous sponsors who have supported our mission over the years, if you were to ask us which one we can always count on to show up in a big way every single year, there is no question that the answer would be Trae Covington - State Farm Agent.

We are so proud to acknowledge Trae as our first-ever Annual Pledge Sponsor. Back in 2023, when our nonprofit was still in its infancy, Trae took a chance on us that has allowed for this organization to thrive in ways we never thought imaginable - And for that we are so grateful.

Through our Annual Pledge Sponsorship, Trae has committed to donating $750/year to Gonzo’s Legacy, helping us continue our work in colorectal cancer awareness, cancer research funding, and youth hockey access.

This support is especially meaningful because Trae was a lifelong friend of Zack and his family. This organization was built on friendship, community, and the desire to turn Zack’s memory into something that helps others. Having people who knew & loved Zack continue to support this mission means everything to us.

Thank you to Trae Covington State Farm & his hard-working staff for making this pledge, supporting Gonzo’s Legacy & helping us carry Zack’s legacy forward.

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Springfield, IL

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