The IRONMAN Foundation will facilitate and distribute over US$35,000 in charitable giveback to non-profit initiatives and groups in the greater Oceanside, California community in conjunction with the 2016 IRONMAN 70.3 California triathlon taking place on Saturday 2 April 2016.
The IRONMAN Foundation Community Fund provides community and volunteer grant opportunities to non-profit organizations where US IRONMAN events are held. In 2016, The IRONMAN Foundation will distribute more than US$1.6 million in grant funding to support the needs of IRONMAN race communities across North America.
Since inception, The IRONMAN Foundation has provided over US$46 million in charitable givebacks globally to support non-profit initiatives.
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 US$25,000 in volunteer grant donations for the IRONMAN 70.3 California triathlon.
“We are thrilled to continue our support of so many tremendous organizations that selflessly serve the Oceanside community,” said Christine Perkins, Community Relations Manager for The IRONMAN Foundation. Last year, volunteer grant funding was distributed among 46 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 grant of US$10,540 to the Oceanside Fire Department Lifeguard Division to purchase a 2015 Yamaha VX100 Deluxe Wave Runner that will be a critical tool for lifeguard operations, enabling rapid rescue and retrieval of victims during rescue operations.
“In 2015, Oceanside had over 5.3 million beach visitors and over 2 million people in water attendance. This resulted in 103,000 preventative actions, 78,000 enforcement actions, and 3,000 rescues,” said Administrative Fire Captain, David Parsons. “Personal watercraft are an essential and integral part of lifeguard resources.”
“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.”
The IRONMAN Foundation will recognize this year’s grant recipients at the Athlete Briefing taking place at 14:00 on Friday 1 April 2016 at the Junior Seau Pier Amphitheater.
Official charity partner
The IRONMAN Foundation has worked with many non-profit organizations in the form of charity partnerships throughout the years. The Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) is the Official Charity Partner of the 2016 IRONMAN 70.3 California triathlon.
CAF’s Team Operation Rebound is on track to raise over US$200,000 to help injured troops to ‘heal through sports and get them from the frontline to the finish line by offering access to funding for equipment, training, and competition expenses.’
Partnering with an IRONMAN or IRONMAN 70.3 event provides a platform for charities to raise awareness and educate others about their cause while raising valuable funds towards their mission. Through these partnerships, US$6,397,900 was raised to support their respective missions in 2015 alone, and US$18.6 million since the beginning of The IRONMAN Foundation’s charity partnership program.
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