Southington's 'Y' Seeks New Triathletes To Honor Sandy Hook Victims

Southington Community YMCA

SOUTHINGTON, CT — The number "26" is an important number for the local YMCA, which is partnering with other YMCAs to remember those killed in the horrible tragedy in Newtown.

The organization's annual "Race4Chase 26-Day Challenge" is starting June 1, and the Southington Community YMCA is looking for volunteers.

The "Y" is looking for volunteers to run/swim/bike/walk for 2.6 miles per day or exercise for 26 minutes per day in memory of the 26 lives lost in the Sandy Hook tragedy.

Funds raised help the"Y" honor Chase Michael Anthony Kowalski by providing a free triathlon camp program for kids aged 6-12 in each of our communities in his name.

The Race4Chase program was created by the Kowalski Family in memory of their son Chase, one of the 26 people who tragically lost their lives at Sandy Hook during the mass shooting in December 2012.

The free 6-week triathlon camp provides a safe, healthy, non-competitive environment to discover the sport.

It brings together children of all different backgrounds and educates them about how to adopt a healthy lifestyle, coaches them to develop a foundation of athletic skills, and inspires them to aim high in sports and in life.

This event is a way for you to give back to the families and children in our community and a great way to stay healthy.

Here is how the challenge works:

• Swim/Bike/Run 2.6 miles or simply exercise for 26 minutes in honor of the 26 victims from the Sandy Hook tragedy.

• The Swim/Bike/Run of 2.6 miles or 26 minutes of exercise will happen when/wherever it is most convenient for you, from June 1-26

• Participants will begin exercising and fundraising on June 1 and continue every day thereafter until June 26.

• By signing up, participants are committing to raising a minimum of $500 to help reach the goal.

Participants can do this solo or ask a friend to split a day to reduce the amount needed to raise, making it more fun by having a workout buddy.

"We will provide you with the online fundraising link for peer-to-peer fundraising to help with this effort," wrote the "Y."

Our overall goal is to raise approximately $42,000.

"Don't forget to see if your company will match your donation too," wrote the "Y."

For more information on the Sandy Hook victims being honored, click on this link.

Those interested in volunteering can contact Julie Gianesini in Southington by May 16 at jgianesini@sccymca.org.