“Chase inspired all of this,” said CMAK Executive Director Kevin Grimes Thursday, January 30, meaning the number of young athletes, races, camps, and the “anxious, ready, and determined,” children who have trained for triathlons. Chase Kowalski was among the students and educators killed in the Sandy Hook tragedy of December 14, 2012. The Chase Michael Anthony Kowalski (CMAK) Sandy Hook Memorial Foundation’s mission is to remember Chase and the other victims.

“Kids are inspired to do what Chase loved,” Mr Grimes said, and more Race4Chase participants can get involved in the coming year, thanks to the many locations in four states supporting the program — including the Newtown Community Center (NCC) this year.

With pens poised to sign an affirmation to support programs in 2020, as in past years, were representatives from the many YMCAs in four states — joined this year by several new locations. Gathered for the signing and afternoon press conference were more than 100 supporters, YMCA members, CMAK Foundation members, and young athletes and family members kicking of the 2020 season.

The Race4Chase children’s triathlon program provides children ages 6 through 12 a foundation to learn how to swim, bike, and run in a six-week summer program. Mr Grimes noted the “amazing coaches” who can “get that much accomplished” in those camps and thanked them all.

The Race4Chase “is in great shape,” having expanded to 29 programs in four states — Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and South Carolina — and reaching nearly 3,000 participants in six years.

The CMAK Foundation’s vision is to “turn tragedy into triumph,” and includes Race4Chase, a rapidly growing, multi-state campaign “to encourage grassroots fundraising to support the CMAK Foundation while fostering physical fitness… through participation in athletic events.”

Parents’ Hopes And Dreams

Speaking briefly was Chase’s mother Rebecca Kowalski. “As parents, we have hopes and dreams for our children. As they grow, our hopes grow with them.”

Ms Kowalski compared parenting to walking in the snow and pulling a sled. “Even though I didn’t need it, I still pulled,” she said. Maybe her daughter would hop on the sled briefly. “I was happy to give her a break,” she said.

“Sometimes we went downhill and it was easy,” but pulling the sled uphill was “heavy and hard,” Ms Kowalski said. She would “stop and pause and breathe.” Her children “might jump out,” of the sled she pulled, “but they always returned to the sled,” she said.

“That’s what parenting is — when they need it, we pull them through. Some days are light and some days are all uphill,” she said. At times, the sled’s weight was tiring. “If the sled is heavy, stop and breathe; it will get easier.”

Ms Kowalski said that pulling for the last seven years has been hard, but “through the grace of God and the spirit of Chase and others, we are blessed to pull the CMAK sled.”

Keynote Speaker

Josh Heyel, 12, the afternoon’s keynote speaker, triathlete, and Race4Chase participant, first went to a Race4Chase camp when he was 6 years old. “My mom said I was running for Chase.” At camp he learned about triathlons, running, biking, and swimming, and he learned teamwork, and “most importantly, kindness.”

Camps have taught Josh to “dismount a bike like a pro, and to swim crazy fast.” Being with a large number of other kids in a triathlon is “pretty cool,” he said. Soon he will “age out of the program and can become a junior coach.” He will be able to teach others “all that I know — be respectful and kind,” and he will teach them to run a triathlon, he said.

“Mostly, thank you Chase,” he said. Older than when he first started camp, he said, “Now I fully understand what happened to Chase,” and now hundreds of athletes are “passing on Chase’s love of sports.” Josh said Chase’s spirit “is in all of us, pushing us forward.”

Josh’s mother Chris Heyel said she knew her son would love the race, but, “I didn’t know how it would change him.” When Ms Kowalski first told her about the camp, she knew it would be “a perfect fit,” for Josh. He grew physically, mentally, and emotionally. He learned sportsmanship. “He has met and cheered on kids from all over the world,” she said.

The Race4Chase camp “changed our family,” Ms Heyel said. “We’re all better for Josh being in camp.” She said, “Chase’s spirit is always present in our mind and in our heart. To Ms Kowalski, she said, “Your family has so much to do with that.”

Ms Kowalski got down to business, calling the many YMCA representatives to a long table at the front of the room where they each signed an intent to host Race4Chase programs in 2020.

Following the signing was a brief video detailing the reasons that Chase’s family created the CMAK Foundation following the tragedy “to focus on community healing.”

Mr Grimes said many things have come to fruition in the past seven years, and he is “proud of the kids impacted, and who will be in 2020 and beyond.” As the Race4Chase programs continue and grow in coming years, Mr Grimes said, “That’s Chase bringing himself to those kids.”

He quickly mentioned the host of fundraiser supporting the program and additional races, and invited people to get involved.

Ms Kowalski thanked guests and the coaches and teams for “helping her change the world through Chase,” and thanked all those who “seriously make a difference. Without you, we couldn’t do what we do.”

Learn more about the CMAK Foundation, the Race4Chase, and other events at cmakfoundation.org.

On the website, readers will learn about Chase. Beside one picture of Chase with his parents, Rebecca and Stephen, is the caption, “This gift of an AMAZING little boy who we were given seven years to grow and love and share all of the great things he did in his short life. It is our greatest honor to be able to share him with you, to inspire you and your family, and any child that may be in your life to do great things and to Race4Chase and race 4 change in our world.”

Also stated on the site: “Chase Kowalski was an amazing son, brother, and friend who was taken from us on 12/14/12 in the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy. Chase’s heart was filled with love and he touched all of the people that he came into contact. He loved sports of all kinds and had an incredibly competitive spirit. Among Chase’s favorite sports were baseball, auto racing, and running. In fact, Chase began running competitively at age 2 in track races. At age 6, Chase asked to be entered into his first triathlon — in his first ever competition, he took on the field and won his age group!”

The site states, “Chase’s passion for athletics has inspired a Race4Chase community competing in his honor and CMAK’s pursuit of programs to support youth and strengthen families through health and wellness programs. Race4Chase Kid’s Triathlon Program, Chase’s Place Family Wellness Center, and preschool scholarships will help fulfill our mission while preserving Chase’s memory.”

According to the site, “The Kowalski family wanted to capture Chase’s competitive spirit and vitality in creating a charity in his honor with a focus on health and wellness for children and their families. CMAK (Chase Michael Anthony Kowalski) Sandy Hook Memorial Foundation has pursued programs and initiatives that encourage personal improvement, healthy lifestyles and strong family and communities.”

Contact the foundation at info@CMAKFoundation.org. Donations can also be made through the website.