Inspired
from Rebecca
 2020 wasn’t what we expected Race4Chase to be. But with guidance and perseverance, we were able to salvage the program and rise from the ashes of COVID and this world wide pandemic to give our CMAK families something to look forward to, a sense of normalcy in these uncertain times. Chase's spirit has been able to give our athletes the courage and the determination to feel empowered, as they return to school, get back to sports, band, and any other extra curricular activities. In these uncertain times that empowerment is exactly what they needed to move forward and get through the new normal we are all looking for.
We are so proud of our sites that took on the challenge of putting our program on. We are also impressed with the site that went above and beyond creating a virtual training program. Impressed indeed by the creative ways that you were all able to remember Chase, honor his spirit and teach our beloved athletes about him, about triathlon and the ins and outs of health and wellness.
This year I felt so many emotions regarding Race4Chase. It was the first time that I felt so disconnected from everyone, so sad that we wouldn’t have a huge finale, but I was so grateful to see how many sites wanted... needed the program. Our program, our boy has become so near and dear to so many hearts that the joy it brings to so many couldn’t be stopped because of a pandemic, that just blew my mind! So as our summer and our season comes to an end, we thank you all from the bottom of our hearts for going that extra mile and showing our athletes how Amazing they are!
We have our fingers crossed that the 2021 season will return better than ever!
We wish you a safe and healthy return to school and as always
Thank you so much for REMEMBERING CHASE!
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In this section for our newsletter we are asking our readers and supporters of CMAK and the Race4Chase Program to submit stories of inspiration emanating from Chase and the programs that he has inspired. CMAK encourages everyone to submit their stories to be published in this section to Kevin Grimes at kgrimes@cmakfoundation.org.. This month's story was received by the Kowalski family from Mark Pooler, CEO of the Southington-Cheshire Community YMCA after their FINALE at Camp Sloper :
From start to finish, Mark Pooler is always there for Race4Chase triathletes at Sloper
From Mark Pooler
"Just wanted to share two of my personal thoughts and feelings with you on R4C 2020…
First – I am so glad we were able to make this happen for this summer…for the kids…for Chase…for the coaches…for your family…for CMAK…and selfishly for me and our staff team. The Finale day on Aug 1 was small…we knew that would be the case! The kids had a great time and really did well…we knew that would be the case also. The parents were so happy…we expected that as well. What we did not expect was how this day, Aug 1, 2020 would affect the rest of the staff and volunteers who donated their time to make this happen. As you can imagine – 2020 has been tough, challenging, depressing, frustrating and more…but on R4C Finale day – that all went away! We remembered why we chose this crazy career, we remembered what it was like to help people, we remembered Chase and your family and the inspiration you have provided, we got to see some amazing kids reach their goals…and for a little while – everything felt normal. WE NEEDED THAT and would not have been able to experience that without you both and the CMAK Foundation’s generosity.
Mark (center) with Rebecca and CMAK Board member John Myers at MOU
Secondly – I wanted to share something personal that has been helpful to me! This entire pandemic has been awful for so many people and organizations, sadly our Y and many others have not escaped the economic challenges and struggles…nor the health related suffering or loss to many in our extended Y Family. These may be the darkest days of our YMCA. As I sit for countless webinars, meetings, layoffs and many challenging conversations…I just wanted you all to know this. Every document that I sign, check I endorse, meeting notes I take and pretty much every other form of written communication during this pandemic…I have done with my CMAK Foundation Pen that was given to us at the MOU Signing in February 2020. This pen, while it may seem small, has been the one thing that has grounded me through this entire crisis. While this pandemic is terrible and has hurt a lot of people in many ways – somehow this pen puts things in perspective for me personally. It reminds me that good things can come out of crisis…it reminds me of the strength your family has shown during your own darkest days…it reminds me that brighter days are ahead of us…it reminds me that caring, inspired, passionate, loving people can accomplish anything…it reminds me that WE WILL get through this! So thank you…that small gift back in February has meant more that you know and has helped guide me and our YMCA through some very tough times.
Thanks again and as always for being an inspiration for me and so many others!
Mark
PS – please feel free to share this with the rest of the CMAK Foundation family – Kudos to all of them for their work through the years!
PSS – If my pen runs out of ink – can I get another one?
We will always have a Race4Chase pen awaiting Mark for when he needs, and we know that through his energy, support and encouragement that the ink will never run dry on the memory of Chase in the heart of these athletes and on the Race4Chase Program. We can not thank you enough!
2020 Race4Chase Phoenix Program
2020 Race4Chase Phoenix Triathlon Program
 CMAK congratulates all of the Race4Chase athletes that successfully completed the two week Race4Chase Phoenix Program and the culminating FINALE at each of the sites. Each of the FINALEs were staged at venues close to the local site, each with its unique distances and challenges. We thank the coaches that prepared these athletes in a short amount of time to allow these athlete to share in the achievement of triathlon. It makes the Kowalski family proud that so many young athletes were able to share in the achievement of triathlon which Chase so loved.
The words of Roberto and Keelin Phillipe captures many of the sentiments that motivated CMAK to propose the Race4Chase Phoenix Program to its sites as an alternative to the six week Race4Chase Kids Triathlon Program that needed to be cancelled due to the pandemic. That was the need to provide youth with an sense of community in an environment of isolation and separation created by the pandemic.
"This was our first year being involved in CMAK and Race4Chase. We have two children, Brendan and McKenna who heard about it from friends at the Y last year and wanted to be a part of it this year. Well, then COVID-19 hit, and we were not sure if it would happen. We were so thankful the Y put together a shortened and modified program that gave our kids the opportunity for the experience. Both of our kids really embraced the concept that in a triathlon, the greatest competition is yourself. There were different legs that each of our kids struggled with, and they knew it. However, much like life, they learned how to confront a struggle, push past it and come out proud of what they had accomplished.
 
McKenna and Brendan, now proud Race4Chase triathletes!
During COVID, Race4Chase provided both our children something that they have been sorely missing since March - community. In the short two weeks, the program built up their ability to connect with others and feel a true sense of community and belonging. Our son made a best little friend during the two weeks - again providing community in a time in which community is so missing. This past week we took a rather challenging hike as a family and Brendan mentioned he could not wait to tell his new friend about it because “he will be proud of me for doing this hard thing.” The community that was built during those weeks was based on affirmation, connection, and encouragement.
 
Both of my kids cannot wait to participate again next year."
The Bayside Y Race4Chase coaches can be proud of what they accomplished and the impact that there efforts have had on their athletes. The same can be said for all of the sites who made this program happen for their athletes under such challenging conditions.
From the first FINALE at the Wallingford YMCA in mid July until the last athlete crossed the finish line at the Newport YMCA FINALE this past Saturday, there were inspirational performances shared by athletes, parents and supporters in their community. There were fourteen sites and fifteen FINALES in total. This year marked the first program in Newtown, Connecticut hosted by the newly minted Newtown Community Center on the Fairfield Hills campus. Below you will find a small sample of group photos taken at the events, plus some photos of athletes in action.
Southington
Cheshire
Valley Shore
Bayside
Soundview
Waterbury
Lakewood-Trumbull
Newtown Community Center
Wallingford
FINALES
Race4Chase athletes kicking to the finish at YMCA Camp Sloper in Southington, CT
Down to the wire at Newtown!
Proud salute with the finish line in sight as coaches spur her toward the finish!
 
Race4Chase athlete community and support on display at Bayside
 
Race4Chase athletes showing off their skills during their FINALE
Enthusiasm at the starting line!
 
Ready, Set, GO at Lakewood-Trumbull!
 
First Race4Chase triathletes crown in Newtown
 
Waterstop at Wallingford
Note Change of Address for CMAK
CMAK Sandy Hook Memorial Foundation
2 Washington Square
Newtown, CT 06482
We would like to remind you of the DOT Generation Charity Partnership Program for which CMAK is a member. You can express your support of CMAK through contracting for your printing needs with DOT Generation of Connecticut who will in turn contribute 5% of gross sales to CMAK. For more details about the program and a full list of services, please contact our good friend and long supporter, David Stowe, at david@dotgeneration.com.
Race4Chase News
Sandy Hook IronChase WAALER (140.6) -
For Nick Waaler, the day long anticipated is just around the corner. Unperturbed by the cancellation of the Lake Placid Ironman, he has now completed all his long training sessions in the pool and on the roads and he is ready to complete a Full Ironman distance (2.4m swim, 112m bike, 26.2m run) in Chase's memory. Nick's Sandy Hook IronChase will begin in the pool at the Newtown Community Center (NCC) at 5am on Saturday, September 5th, 2020 The bike route will begin and end at NCC and take him as far north as Woodbury and as far south as Stamford, CT passing through the town of Southbury, Newtown, Monroe, Easton, Westport, Norwalk and Darien. Much of his run will take place on the Monroe Bike Trail including twice passing Chase's bench at Great Hallow Lake in Wolfe Park. Nick will finish his adventure at the Kowalski house in Sandy Hook late in the evening. In case, there is inclement weather, Nick has chosen Sunday, Sept 6th as his rain date.
Nick has so far raised over $5000 in support of CMAK with his goal of $10,000 raised by race day. Please give Nick your full support in reaching his goal by donating at his GoFunMe campaign at the following link: Sandy Hook IronChase Waaler.
If there are Race4Chasers who would like to support Nick's quest , please contact Kevin Grimes at kgrimes@cmakfoundation.org. A link to a map of the exact course is available and you can access CMAK on Twitter in order to follow Nick's progress throughout the day. It would be great to have Race4Chase supporters get out on the course to cheer for Nick as he makes his way.
EpicChase Kowalski (88.8)
October 2020
Rebecca Kowalski will contest her own EpicChase in October 2020 in Connecticut rather than in Waco, Texas as originally planned. She intends to complete her swim portion at the Southington Community YMCA (1.7m) followed by cycling to the Connecticut coast in Madison and back (80.0m) then complete the triathlon by running (7.1M) along the Linear Park Rail Trail for a total of 88.8 miles in Chase's honor. We wish Rebecca continued success in her preparation and will provide more details on the big day in our next newsletter.
Baton Update
With the spread of the virus and lack of events, updates on our batons are slow in coming. We look forward to better times where our baton holders can be engaged in challenging themselves in Chase's spirit.
A big thanks to RELAYBATONS.com for donating all the Race4Chase batons for this program and also for use in our Race4Chase Kid’s Triathlon program.
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