IMF Athletes Leave a Lasting Legacy in Louisville
The IRONMAN Foundation® will distribute over $80,000 in charitable giveback to non-profit initiatives and groups in the greater Louisville, KY region in conjunction with the 2016 IRONMAN® Louisville presented by Norton Sports Health triathlon taking place on Sunday, October 9, 2016. The IRONMAN Foundation Community Fund provides community and volunteerism grant opportunities to non-profit organizations where IRONMAN events are held. The IRONMAN Foundation’s contribution will provide support to non-profit needs and initiatives within the local community, and brings the total giveback to more than $620,000 in the region. In 2016, The IRONMAN Foundation will distribute more than $1.6 million in grant funding to support the needs of IRONMAN race communities across North America.
Community Grants
The IRONMAN Foundation provides charitable support to a variety of local non-profit organizations that recognize citizens in need and support The Foundation’s mission. The Foundation works with community leaders to identify projects and initiatives and to provide funding in order to support worthwhile causes. This year, The IRONMAN Foundation’s Community Fund will provide a $10,000 community grant to the Louisville Sports Commission to support the funding of sporting events within the community. Another $10,000 community grant will be awarded to the Oldham County Fiscal Court to fund its participation initiatives for its sprint triathlon as well as to support youth-based athletic programs in Oldham County.
“Grant funding is one way that The IRONMAN Foundation leaves a lasting legacy in the communities where IRONMAN races take place,” said Dave Deschenes, Executive Director of The IRONMAN Foundation. “We are thrilled to support the Louisville community with these community grant awards.”
The IRONMAN Foundation will recognize this year’s grant recipients at the Athlete Welcome Celebration at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, October 7, 2016 at 4th Street Live!
Volunteerism Grants
Within IRONMAN’s race communities, The IRONMAN Foundation provides a grant program to support organizations that have a volunteerism component. This year, The IRONMAN Foundation’s Community Fund will provide over $40,000 in volunteer grant donations for the IRONMAN Louisville triathlon. “We are thrilled to continue our support of so many tremendous organizations that selflessly serve others within the Louisville region year-after-year,” said Christine Perkins, Community Relations Manager for The IRONMAN Foundation. Last year, volunteer grant funding was distributed among 26 community groups in the region.
Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation
The IRONMAN Foundation, in partnership with the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation (FHSPSF), will provide a $19,958 grant to Louisville Metro EMS to purchase seven FERNO Track Stair Chairs that will assist the safe moving of patients to-and-from stretcher cots in scenarios where it’s logistically challenging to easily place a stretcher cot next to a patient, enhancing the way the patient is being moved and reducing the possibility of injury to the patient and emergency services personnel.
“We just want to thank the IRONMAN Foundation and the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation for helping us work more effectively and efficiently by providing equipment that can be used during events and within the community,” said Lee Dennison, Assistant Emergency Services Director of Louisville Metro EMS. “Their grant not only helped us managed events, but also provided tools that are used in serving our community.”
“Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation, along with The IRONMAN Foundation, is grateful for the opportunity to give back to those who loyally serve our communities,” said Robin Peters, Executive Director of FHSPSF. “As IRONMAN athletes prove that ‘Anything is Possible,’ we feel that the mantra also represents what can be done to support the men and women who have dedicated their lives to protecting others.”
TEAM IMF
TEAM IMF is The IRONMAN Foundation’s fundraising triathlon team. Team members have the opportunity to race in the IRONMAN event of their choice when they commit to raise $3,500 for The IRONMAN Foundation’s Community Fund. Nine athletes participating in this program through the 2016 IRONMAN Louisville presented by Norton Sports Health triathlon have raised over $25,000, while collectively all of The Foundation’s TEAM IMF athletes have raised over $503,000 for The IRONMAN Foundation’s Community Fund in 2016.
