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 CMAK from Jeannine Heavens, mother of Race4Chase athletes Jonny and Lily:
" Race4Chase means so much to our family. We first heard about Race4Chase in 2018, after the sign ups and program had started. We heard what a wonderful program it was and we were so excited to get involved the following year. Jonny was eleven when he first participated in Race4Chase in 2019. That first year, Jonny loved being involved and learning about the program. He is a natural competitor, but also strives to bring out the best in those around him. He loved working with the younger groups and formed friendships with other kids that have continued through today. That year, Jonny won the Chase Michael-Anthony Kowalski Sportsmanship Award. To us, that is what the program is about; strong character, compassionate attitude, willingness to help and respectfulness towards coaches and other triathletes.
In 2020, he was happy to get back out there with his friends and the coaches. He is looking forward to volunteering this year with the program.
Lily is eight. Her first year in Race4Chase was 2020. She was so excited to follow in her brother’s footsteps and join the program. She had no idea how to ride a two wheel bike and was so scared, but she was determined to learn and complete the race. I was so nervous for her. I emailed Coach Lisa trying to decide if she would be able to do it during a shortened two week (Race4Chase Phoenix) program or would it all be too much. Coaches Doug, Kathleen and Lisa knew she would be able to do it, and, with their support, Lily was riding her bike and completing a triathlon in two weeks. They taught her strength, confidence and resilience. They taught her to never give up and to keep trying. On the day of the race, she was so nervous, almost terrified, but she did it. Coach Kathleen ran with her the entire bike ride and run. She had the support of everyone there, cheering her on and pushing her to finish.
2019 versus 2020 Race4Chase was incredibly different, but the sense of community, the sense of support, and the heart of those wonderful, resilient children and pre-teens was still there. In 2019, I worked at the finish line, reading off the numbers to track when the kids came through. Watching the coaches run through that line, time and time again, to support their athletes, the crowd cheering every child as they crossed the finish line, the pride each athlete felt as they crossed that line will stay with me. In 2020, I was a spectator due to COVID restrictions, but I was able to photograph the kids and still cheer them all on.
This program has meant so much to our family. We look forward to volunteering and participating with Race4Chase for years to come. "
Jeannine - Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and children with CMAK and our fellow supporters. I am sure that you will agree that the coaches and junior coaches that dedicate themselves to the success of the program are truly amazing. We are all proud of Jonny and Lily's accomplishments and look forward to your involvement in 2021.
Race4Chase MOU SIGNING Ceremony
Photo compliments of Newtown Community Center
On the day where twenty-nine Race4Chase program sites formally committed to host the 2021 Race4Chase Kids Triathlon Program, there was much for which to be
Grateful. Each of the sites participated in the ceremony including our friends from South Carolina. The program began with the annual review of the State of Race4Chase by Kevin Grimes, the Executive Director of CMAK who expressed how
Grateful CMAK is for the exceptional efforts of the Race4Chase sites in 2020 to operate the Race4Chase Phoenix program and the enthusiasm displayed by all programs in recommitting for 2021. The speech was highlighted by a shout out from
Mark Allen, triathlon legend and ESPN's Greatest Endurance Athlete of All Time, who joined the zoom call to become more acquainted with Race4Chase after hearing about the great things that the program was doing for youth in the sport of triathlon in
Chase's name.
The audience was then treated to an engaging presentation by keynote speaker,
Nick Waaler (above), who described his journey from non-runner to Ragnar participant to triathlete, to Race4Chase parent and finally to the first
IronChase finisher, completing the Full Ironman distance in Newtown/ Sandy Hook in September 2020 while raising over $13k for CMAK. He did a wonderful job in describing how his and his family's life has been changed for the better through the inspiration of
Chase. He has now become an inspiration to others through his efforts and support.
Farmington Valley team at 2019 Race4Chase Finale
Raquel Kopeck, Race4Chase coach at the Farmington Valley site, gave all participants a snapshot of the Race4Chase Kids Triathlon Virtual Training program curriculum that she and her team designed to replicate the "in person" program, since it could not be offered in 2020.
Raquel shared some insights into what made the program successful and what could be used to augment the Race4Chase program whether virtual or in person. This program was one of the rainbows that originated from the challenges of 2020 and CMAK is
Grateful for Raquel for sharing her efforts with all CMAK supporters.
Matthew Ariniello, CEO of Newtown Community Center, presented a check to CMAK for monies raised from their Giving Tree. The Race4Chase program came to Newtown for the first time in 2020 as the Newtown Community Center (NCC) hosted the Race4Chase Phoenix program. In addition to hosting the 2021 Race4Chase Kids Triathlon program, NCC will host a pilot program called
Tri4Chase serving Newtown Middle School students this Spring (see below).
If those that were not able to view the ceremony, you can access the video at the following link:
2021 Race4Chase Kids Triathlon MOU Ceremony
Congratulations to all of the 2021 Race4Chase sites and looking forward to a successful 2021 season.
CMAK: WORD of the Month
CMAK will be choosing one word as the theme for each month; words to inspire, words to contemplate, words to motivate and words to capture our imagination. We will try to embrace these words each month as we do our best to fulfill our mission. We hope they will inspire all to keep life in perspective and Chase in your hearts and minds.
Word of the Month for February:
Love
WORD of the Month for March:
Happiness
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2021 Word of the Month
January:
Grateful
February:
LOVE
March:
Happiness
April:
Faith
May:
Hope
June:
Believe
July:
Amazing
August:
Inspired
September:
Blessed
October:
Embrace
November:
Thrive
December:
Family
CMAK Valentine Bingo Results
Tri4Chase Pilot Program Set to Launch in April
Newtown Middle School After-School Program at the Newtown Community Center
CMAK, in partnership with the Newtown Community Center and support from the Newtown Rotary Club, will be launching a pilot triathlon program serving Newtown Middle School students. The program will be directly after school for two hours daily for three weeks. It is design to introduce and train participants in the sport of triathlon (swimming, biking and running), while focusing on team building, self confidence and even
healthy eating and cooking. It will be free to all participants and will encourage the same Race4Chase spirit, inspired by Chase . Participants will be selected in coordination with the Newtown school administrators and counselors to identify the students that would benefit the most from the program.
Participants will have the opportunity to continue training and race in a triathlon for the Race4Chase team in the summer. CMAK hopes that this program will provide Newtown Middle School students with a positive outlet and satisfying goals to achieve.
St Pat's Trivia Night
Share the Happiness and Save the Date!
WINTROP Men's Basketball
Contest Big South Tournament This Week!
Coach Pat Kelsey will lead his team into the Big South Tournament this week attempting to repeat as conference champions and capture the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. After last year's championship, the NCAA Tournament was derailed by the pandemic. We wish
Coach Pat and his Wintrop Eagles (20-1) the best of luck as the face Highpoint in the quarterfinal round on Monday.
Coach Pat was influential in bringing Race4Chase to South Carolina and he and his players have volunteered each year at the Race4Chase Finale in Clover SC.
Shop AmazonSmile Now
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.
