RELATED: Alex Jones ordered to pay $49.3 million total for lies about Sandy Hook massacre<\/strong><\/p>\n“Our mission is to honor the spirit of Chase and help communities through health and wellness,” said Rebecca Kowalski.<\/p>\n
The CMAK Foundation provides grants to 17 regional YMCAs and the Newtown Community Center to run free six-week camps for children ages 5 to 13, where they are trained to be triathletes.<\/p>\n
After the six-week program, all 18 Connecticut camps gather at Camp Sloper to run a true USAT-sanctioned kids’ triathlon.<\/p>\n
Subscribe to FOX61 newsletters: <\/strong>Morning forecast, morning headlines, evening headlines<\/p>\nIt is taught to children who cannot swim or ride a bicycle. Advanced children receive additional training. If the children do not have a bicycle, one is provided free of charge. Many of the camps offer free breakfasts and lunches so that there are no barriers to participation.<\/p>\n
“This is what YMCAs are all about. Youth development, healthy living and social responsibility and this particular program has a touch of all of that,” said Mark Pooler, CEO of the Southington-Cheshire Community YMCAs.<\/p>\n
“[Kids] spend all summer honing their skills. You see, kids that are very young to almost high school, and a lot of the kids that have completed the program come back and are counselors, so they pay it forward,\u201d Newtown First Selectman Dan Rosenthal said.<\/p>\n
RELATED: ‘Sunflowers for Wishes’ tradition returns to support Make-A-Wish CT<\/strong><\/p>\nIt is a mission that can never be measured in mere kilometers.<\/p>\n
“This is a very meaningful day for the Kowalski family. We are very happy to support them and of course keep Chase in our hearts and remember him,” Pooler said.<\/p>\n
“There are so many kids out there who don’t have that opportunity, they don’t know how to swim or ride a bike or run, and for us to put it together and give them that opportunity, it builds their self-esteem, it builds their character,” Kowalski said.<\/p>\n
Race4Chase has also grown considerably out of state, with 12 more locations in Rhode Island and South Carolina.<\/p>\n
Have a story idea or something in mind that you want to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at newstips@fox61.com<\/p>\n