Aiming to leave a positive impact on local communities in conjunction with the 2021 Intermountain Healthcare IRONMAN World Championship presented by Utah Sports Commission, the IRONMAN Foundation will distribute US$115,000 in giveback to charitable initiatives and groups within the region.
Inclusive of community and volunteer grants, and the We’ve Got Your Back (Pack) program, the event’s charitable contributions takes the IRONMAN Foundation’s total giveback in the region to more than US$610,000 since the first event in St George.
Community grants
In IRONMAN host cities worldwide, the IRONMAN Foundation Community Fund provides non-profit organizations with community and volunteerism grant opportunities. In 2022, the IRONMAN Foundation will distribute more than US$2 million in grant funding to support race communities around the world.
In conjunction with the 2021 Intermountain Healthcare IRONMAN World Championship presented by Utah Sports Commission, nine local non-profit organizations will collectively receive US$55,000 in Community Grant awards. Grant recipients include:
Dove Center
Make-A-Wish Utah
Southern Utah Bicycle Alliance
Southern Utah Ladies Society
Southwest Utah Community Health Center
Switchpoint Community Resource Center
Washington County Children’s Justice Center
Washington County School District Foundation
Zion Forever Project
The programs supported by the Community Grants focus on areas such as:
- Family and play therapies for children;
- A school-based bike program for local schools that improves students’ cognitive, physical, and socio-economic well-being;
- A new product aeroponic produce farm to provide nutritional food for a soup kitchen and food pantry; and
- The provision of additional school supplies for local children.
The remaining charitable funds will be distributed to various non-profit organizations including volunteer groups at the 2021 Intermountain Healthcare IRONMAN World Championship presented by Utah Sports Commission.
“We are extremely thankful for the opportunity to give back to these incredible organizations in Greater Zion,” said Audra Tassone-Indeck, Executive Director of the IRONMAN Foundation.
“Not-for-profits faced monumental challenges the past two years. What these groups are doing is awe-inspiring – working tirelessly to help the neediest community members while also cheering on and supporting the highest of athletic endeavours.”
Service Project – We’ve Got Your Back (Pack)
From Tuesday, May 3 through Friday, May 6, athletes and supporters are invited to the IRONMAN Foundation booth inside IRONMAN Village expo to help with the We’ve Got Your Back (Pack) program.
At the booth, individuals will have the opportunity to help pack 100 backpacks with items that encourage youths to live active healthy lifestyles. All 100 bags will be donated to Girls on the Run of Southern Utah.
IRONMAN Foundation Athlete Team
Eight athletes will race the 2021 Intermountain Healthcare IRONMAN World Championship presented by Utah Sports Commission in support of the IRONMAN Foundation and its programs, including Ben O’Donnell, an inspirational speaker, triathlete, and a COVID-19 survivor.
In 2020, O’Donnell became the first critical COVID-19 patient in Minnesota to be placed on a ventilator and eventually Extra Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO). On May 23, 2021, 14 months to the day from being removed from ECMO, O’Donnell completed the IRONMAN Tulsa triathlon.
O’Donnell is currently an ambassador for The IRONMAN Foundation, raising funds for COVID-19 relief and providing mental health support for healthcare workers.
www.ironmanfoundation.org
www.ironman.com
