The IRONMAN Foundation Community Fund will distribute US$130,000 in grant funding to initiatives on the Island of Hawai’i in conjunction with the 2014 IRONMAN World Championship presented by GoPro – taking place on Saturday 11 October.
The IRONMAN Foundation’s contribution will provide support to non-profit needs and initiatives within the local community. With the 2014 donations from The Foundation, over US$1.2 million has been given to support the needs of the community since the first IRONMAN event took place in Kailua-Kona, Hawai’i. Since inception, The IRONMAN Foundation has donated more than US$30 million globally.
The IRONMAN Foundation, in partnership with the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation (FHSPSF), will donate US$13,000 to the Hawai’i County Hawai’i Island Fire Department to show support of first responder groups. This donation will be used to procure a total of 20 new STIHL chainsaws to outfit one per fire engine company on Hawai’i Island.
These chainsaws have been a missing piece of critical life-saving equipment needed by the fire department. “The Hawai‘i Fire Department (HFD) is humbly grateful and appreciative for the donation from The IRONMAN Foundation and the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation,” said Fire Chief Darren Rosario.
“The chainsaws will address a shortfall identified in the aftermath of Hurricane Iselle, which cut off multiple communities from timely emergency services due to fallen trees. This acquisition will immediately provide the HFD with a valuable tool to assist in clearing debris and thereby providing valuable access to our citizens and visitors of Hawai‘i Island.”
A formal presentation of this grant took place at the IRONMAN Village on Tuesday 7 October at Hale Halawai Park.
The IRONMAN Foundation also provides athletes with the platform to fundraise for The Foundation or a non-profit beneficiary of their choice as they train for their IRONMAN event. These athletes have signed up to participate in The IRONMAN Foundation’s Your Journey, Your Cause fundraising program. Through their participation with The Foundation, 18 athletes have been touched by something greater than themselves and are giving back to non-profit organizations to make their race experiences more than just crossing the finish line – they are racing for a cause. Collectively, they have raised over US$400,000 for The Foundation and their respective causes.
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