Let's help Kevin, Justin (J-Dude!), and Kyle

Hey Guys,

Short Version

I am doing Ironman Florida with the Kyle Pease Foundation (KPF) and I need your help to raise money. I am looking to raise money specifically for three KPF athletes to be funded next year to work for KPF. Your money will have a direct impact on someone's life who works for a foundation whose mission is to help people! Can it get any better than that? Want to know more, please read the long version.

Important Links

KPF Website

Story of Brent and Kyle taking on Ironman World Championships

Race Week and Race Day Follow Links

Insta & FB

Longer Version

Kyle Pease Foundation (KPF) is all about inclusion and exists to help persons with disabilities meet their individual needs through sports. I love what KPF stands for. I love the people they serve. I legit couldn't be more pumped to doing a BIG race with them. I met Kyle, the KP in KPF, on a Marta train 4 years ago and have been friends and inspired by him since that day.

This will be my fourth race with KPF in which I am fundraising. Some of y'all reading this have been so generous to help with a fundraiser along the way, I can't thank you enough. I promise the smiles along the course and at the finish line were worth every penny.

As for donations to the foundation, the most visible way money is used is to make sure KPF athletes have a first-class experience at races and events. For example, the money given to KPF helped Lizzie have an awesome experience at the Marine Corp Marathon when I had the honor of running with her. This is us at the finish line, a place both of us had doubts we would ever see when caught in a biblical downpour around mile 11!

The more I have been around KPF, the more I have been impressed with their work. I have found their reach goes well beyond just helping athletes with races. One way they support outside of racing is every year they offer the Jake Vinson Grant. The grant is intended for individuals and families who are experiencing disability and are looking to enhance their quality of life through resources that may not be readily available or unattainable. Last year Ricardo and his family used the grant to help buy a chair-accessible van, talk about life-changing! This one hit home as I talked with Lizzie's mom in DC about her having to pick Lizzie up every time they get in and out of a car. Here's Ricardo and his new van:

Down to business of why are we here: I want to try to raise money to help KPF pay three of the KPF athletes who are now on staff. Starting in 2018 KPF began to employ some of its athletes to help with operations. This gave a chance to help and empower their athletes who have physical challenges in a normal work environment and apply their skills to a foundation they are passionate about. Currently, there are three part-time employees of the KPF team who have participated as athletes with foundation over the years:

Kevin - Kevin is a quadriplegic who majored in journalism in college. Kevin struggled to get a job in his field as the news cycle moves very quickly. Kevin types with his eyes and can create content at 5 words per minute. Kevin now creates articles and blogs by interviewing and writing to spread the word about KPF. For a day in the life of Kevin, you can watch this video (8 minutes). It’s an incredible story. - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKrFXVeOIjE

Justin - Finished an Ironman in 2015 with KPF, after finishing the question was asked what do you want next, his answer was he wanted a job. In 2018 KPF was able to raise enough funds to bring him on board to help communicate tax details for donations and other material needed to be sent to volunteers and KPF athletes. For a day in the life of Justin, you can watch this video (5 minutes). Spoiler alert, KPF is life changing. - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbcIbX7zhB4

Kyle - Kyle came on board last year to be a voice for the athletes and help with the organizaiton of events. Kyle earned a degree in sport management and can put that to use with KPF. I love the fact that Kyle wasn't the first person hired. The foundation has never been just about Kyle, it's about helping others out first.

My goal in fundraising and racing 140.6 miles is to help cover as much of their salaries as possible, I have no idea what that looks like but I am going to talk to anyone who will listen. 2020 and 2021 hit KPF pretty hard. Fewer races and fewer events meant less fundraising. How incredible would it be to raise and secure employment for these three for a few months in 2022? That is a direct impact on three awesome dudes. That's where I need your help! Please consider giving.

Thanks,

Matt