The GOOSE Foundation was born from a mother's love and a promise that one life would never be forgotten.
After losing my son, Aaron Anthony "Goose" McArthur, to fentanyl poisoning, I chose to transform my grief into purpose. What began as one mother's journey through unimaginable loss has grown into a mission to remember every life, support every family, educate communities, reduce stigma, and help prevent future loss from addiction, suicide, fentanyl, and other synthetic drugs.
The Goose Foundation provides education, awareness, emotional wellness, grief support, suicide awareness, addiction recovery assistance, and community outreach to help individuals and families facing life’s most difficult challenges.
Through collaboration with families, schools, healthcare professionals, recovery organizations, faith communities, and community leaders, we strive to reduce stigma, encourage open conversations, connect people with resources, and inspire hope. We believe healing begins when people know they are not alone. Whether someone is seeking information, healing, recovery resources, or simply hope, we want them to know they do not have to face life's challenges alone.
Our mission is to transform grief into hope through remembrance, education, awareness, advocacy, emotional wellness, compassionate support, and community collaboration. Our Mission is built on the belief that every life matters, every family deserves compassion, and hope can grow even through life's greatest challenges.
Our vision is to help build communities where every person is treated with dignity, every family knows they are not alone, and every community has the knowledge and support needed to help prevent future loss.
We envision a future where families are supported, communities are educated, stigma is reduced, and every person has access to the resources they need before, during and after life's most difficult challenges.
Our long-term vision is to establish a welcoming center where individuals and families can find education, support, recovery resources, grief services, and hope - all under one roof.
The GOOSE Foundation was born from my own journey of faith, love, and hope. My Christian faith has carried me through unimaginable loss and continues to give me strength as I work to honor Aaron's life by serving others.
I recognize that people around the world express faith in different ways and use different names for their Creator or spiritual beliefs. Whatever your beliefs, I hope the GOOSE Foundation is a place where every person feels welcomed, respected, supported, and encouraged.
Aaron Anthony “Goose” McArthur was born on July 3, 1992, at St. James Hospital in Butte, Montana. From the time he was a little boy, he filled our lives with laughter, adventure, kindness, and unconditional love.
As a child, Aaron laughed every time I read him Silly Little Goose. Before long, “Goose” became my special nickname for him—a name that stayed with him throughout his life.
When I lost Aaron, my world changed forever.
Like so many parents, I have replayed countless moments in my mind, wondering what I could have understood differently, what questions I could have asked, and whether there was something more I could have done. Those questions are part of grief, and they are ones many families carry after losing someone they love.
Although I cannot change what happened, I can choose what I do with the life Aaron lived and the love he gave to this world.
I made a promise that Aaron's life would continue to make a difference.
That promise became The GOOSE Foundation.
I created the GOOSE Foundation because I never want another parent to feel as alone or as unprepared as I did. I want families to understand addiction before it is too late, to recognize warning signs earlier, to know where to turn for help, and to understand that compassion, education, and hope can save lives.
If sharing Aaron's story helps even one family start a difficult conversation, seek treatment, carry naloxone (Narcan®), or take one action that saves a life, then his legacy will continue making a difference for generations to come.
Aaron's legacy now lives on through the GOOSE Foundation, Whispers of Names: The Dragonfly Infinity Memorial, the Aaron the Goose Book Series, and every person who is helped because of the work we do.
Every family we help honors Aaron.
Every life remembered honors Aaron.
Every conversation started honors Aaron.
Every life saved honors Aaron.
That is how his story continues.
Every family deserves hope. Every life deserves to be remembered. Every name deserves to live on.
The GOOSE Foundation was created not from theory, but from lived experience.
We understand the heartbreak of losing a child, the questions families ask after tragedy, and the importance of compassion over judgment.
While we cannot change the past, we can use what we have learned to educate others, support families, reduce stigma, and inspire hope.
Every program we develop is rooted in the belief that every person deserves dignity, every family deserves support, and every life has value.
Contributions may be tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. We encourage donors to consult their tax advisor regarding the deductibility of their contribution.
Donation receipts are provided for all charitable contributions.
GOOSE Foundation
Grieve Openly. Overcome Stigma. Embrace help.
Every Life Matters.
Every Name Matters.
Every Family Matters.