The IRONMAN Foundation, Kennedy Law Racing, and Kinder’s Kids have teamed up to provide children impacted by Hurricane Ian with Christmas gifts this holiday season.
On Saturday, December 17, representatives from The IRONMAN Foundation and Kinder’s Kids delivered over US$20,000 worth of bicycles and toys to 4KIDS Southwest Florida for children and families in the Ft Meyers community devastated by Hurricane Ian in September.
“The impact by Hurricane Ian is still being felt by businesses and families, months after the storm made landfall,” said Audra Tassone-Indeck, Executive Director of The IRONMAN Foundation.
“We are very thankful for our friends from Kennedy Law Racing and Kinder’s Kids for teaming up with us to help bring some joy and comfort to children still recovering this holiday season by gifting them toys.”
Included in the delivery to 4KIDS Southwest Florida were 25 bicycles built by members of The IRONMAN Foundation and The IRONMAN Group staff. Supported by a grant from Kennedy Law Racing, staff members spent the afternoon, Thursday, December 15, putting together the 30 bicycles.
“Tom Kennedy and Kennedy Law Racing through their partnership with The IRONMAN Foundation are honoured to be donating $10,000 towards bicycles and toys to Southwest Florida 4Kids to aid in providing a Happy Holiday to children in the struggling Fort Myers area following the devastation from Hurricane Ian,” said Park Alsop, Director of Kennedy Law Racing.
“Helping the community is a huge facet of Tom and the team and we are grateful for the opportunity to be an integral part of this great opportunity to assist.”
In addition to the bicycles, 4KIDS Southwest Florida received a variety of toys collected by The IRONMAN Foundation and Kinder’s Kids. Founded by country music artist, Ryan Kinder and his wife Heather Kinder, Kinder’s Kids is a Nashville, Tennessee-based organization focused on giving children affected by natural disasters a Christmas to remember.
Ryan Kinder also serves as a member of The IRONMAN Foundation’s Ambassador Team, and recently completed the 2022 VinFast IRONMAN World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i in support of The IRONMAN Foundation
“Having the opportunity to bring a community in need some help is a wonderful thing,” shared Ryan and Heather Kinder. Even more so when it is in conjunction with the incredible people at The IRONMAN Foundation.
“Seeing the families and kids’ faces when we drop off the toys is an indescribable experience. To bring just a little solace amidst such a painful time is exactly why we do what we do.”
Rick Jacobs, Executive Director for 4KIDS SWFL, said “When we received a call regarding The IRONMAN Foundation and Kinder‘s Kids Foundation wanting to provide thousands of dollars worth of toys and bicycles to Southwest Florida, we were incredibly excited.
“We are so grateful for these two foundations and their efforts to collect these items and deliver them to our 4KIDS office in Southwest Florida. I know that there will be so many families that have great need, having lost so much in the storm, that will be incredibly blessed. We’ve got a busy week ahead of us as we will work to get these out before Christmas, but what a great way to spend these last few days before the holiday!”
The IRONMAN Foundation, headquartered in Tampa, Florida, is the charitable arm of The IRONMAN Group. Since its inception in 2003, The IRONMAN Foundation has provided more than US$55 million in charitable giveback to communities around the world.
www.ironmanfoundation.org
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