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 comes from Gavin Sherry, nationally acclaimed distance runner from West Hartford, Ct and Junior at Conard High School:
In September 2020,
Gavin Sherry contacted the CMAK Foundation to advise that he was chosen CMAK and the Race4Chase Program to receive the grant that Gatorade offers to each athlete selected as Gatorade Player of the Year in their sport.
Gavin earned this distinction by having a sterling 2019 Cross Country Running season in the State of Connecticut and the national level.
CMAK has been recently contacted by
Gavin that he has received the
Gatorade Player of the Year honor in Cross Country Running in the State of CT (This time for 2020) and will once again support the CMAK Foundation and the Race4Chase Program with the associated grant.
Gavin writes, "I have had the privilege of winning the Gatorade Player of the Year a second time, and I have decided again to donate the $1,000 to the CMAK Foundation. Your organization truly inspires me. I hope that as the COVID situation improves these youth athletes will have the opportunity to have fun participating and receive the benefits that I know sports can offer. It's an honor to be able to contribute to this awesome cause."
Gavin has also confirmed that he and his teammates would like to run with a
Race4Chase baton in an upcoming meet this Spring season in memory of Chase. It will be exciting to see which relay they choose to contest with the baton and the results of the meet. Stay tuned in future newsletters!
We thank
Gavin for his support and
HOPE to see him at the 2021 Ct FINALE at Camp Sloper in Southington, CT where he can cheer on the next generation of athletes trying to be crowned Race4Chase triathletes!
Who knows what he could inspire in YOU! We would love to hear your story.
Race4Chase Kids Community Triathlon
2019 Race4Chase Kids Community Triathlon at Great Hollow Beach
In order to focus our efforts in operating our largest Race4Chase Kids Triathlon Program amidst the pandemic, CMAK made the difficult decision to postpone our next Race4Chase Kids Community Triathlon until 2022. CMAK had staged the Race4Chase Kids Community Triathlon each year from 2014 to 2018 at Great Hollow Lake in Wolfe Park in Monroe, CT before being derailed by the pandemic in 2020. The race attracted about 200 young athletes 6-13 years of age each year.
After weighing the challenging conditions posed by the continuing pandemic, the CMAK Board felt that the Foundation should focus on providing a safe, successful Race4Chase Kids Triathlon Program and wait until the summer of 2022 to return to Great Hollow Lake.
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 April:
FAITH
Word of the Month for May:
HOPE
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
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
Alma Wahlberg and Rebecca
CMAK Foundation wants to express our most sincere condolences to the Wahlberg family on the passing of their mother Alma. For years,
Paul Wahlberg hosted CMAK’s Race4Chase Boston Marathon Team brunch at
Alma Nove restaurant in Hingham, MA. I had the pleasure of meeting her at one of those luncheons.
Alma was delightful and very easy to have a conversation with. We wish the entire family and friends peace, hope and strength as they process the loss of their beloved mother and friend.
Rebecca
Chase Kowalski Memorial Golf Tournament
Save the Date!
The Chase Kowalski Memorial Golf Tournament is set for August 7th, 2021. Anyone interested in becoming a hole sponsor for hole sponsors, raffle donator, etc. can contact sharon.pirhala@gmail.com. Registration opens June 1st, 2021. See CMAK May Newsletter and Facebook page for details.
Crazy 8 Ride4Chase
Crazy 8 Ride4Chase will be postponed until September 2021 with a tentative date of September 19th. More details to follow in subsequent newsletters.
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.
