The CMAK (Chase Michael Anthony Kowalski) Sandy Hook Memorial Foundation held a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing ceremony for the new and returning sites selected to participate in the 2024 Race4Chase Kids Triathlon Program on Thursday, February 15 at the Newtown Community Center.

This year marks the organization’s tenth annual MOU signing ceremony, which is a mutual commitment between the CMAK Foundation and the YMCAs they partner with to host the Race4Chase program.

They announced at the ceremony that Brittany Kowalski, who has worked with the organization since her parents founded it, will become the new CMAK Foundation executive director. Kevin Grimes, who was the former executive director, has stepped down and is now the organization’s Board of Directors treasurer.

“As I stand before you guys today, I am beaming with excitement and so much gratitude that I mark this new journey as the executive director of the CMAK Foundation,” Kowalski said at the ceremony. “This opportunity fills me up with immense joy and expectation, as we continue to build upon the incredible legacy of Chase.”

Every site that hosted Race4Chase programs in 2023 was announced to return for the 2024 season. The CMAK Foundation has also selected Old Colony YMCA in Broxton, Mass. and YMCA Buffalo Niagara in Buffalo, N.Y., to join as new locations this year. This expands the Race4Chase program to 30 different sites throughout five states: Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, and South Carolina.

According to Grimes, the mission of the foundation is “to turn tragedy into triumph, and celebrate the life of Chase; to cherish him with a program that he loved and certainly captured his spirit and intent.”

Race4Chase is a triathlon program that provides children ages 6-12 a safe and non-competitive environment where they can discover the sport of triathlon and develop tools for lifelong physical and mental health.

Children learn how to swim, bike, and run under the expert guidance of coaches and instructors over the course of their six-week training program. It culminates in a USA-Triathlon-sanctioned Finale Triathlon for all participants. Grimes announced at the ceremony that they had their 5,000th athlete cross the finish line of a Race4Chase Finale at last year’s CT finale.

Inspired by Chase’s passion for athleticism, Race4Chase hopes to instill that same passion in everyone who joins their training program. CMAK Foundation President Rebecca Kowalski believes that the program gives children a chance to do whatever they set their mind to.

“We’re not all super jocks; we’re not all built that way,” Rebecca said. “But when given the opportunity to try something out of the box and you have six weeks to train for something, we’re all capable of way more than we think we are.”

The foundation also announced several events that they have planned throughout the year. On September 15, they will hold their annual Race4Chase motorcycle ride at Pies and Pub in Middlebury, where people can enjoy food and entertainment at the end of the ride. They also hope everyone will “save the date” for their annual fundraising gala featuring dinner, drinks, and dancing on November 8 at The Grand Oak Villa in Oakville.

Further details on the organization’s upcoming events can be found on their website cmakfoundation.org.

The CMAK Foundation encourages anyone interested in getting involved, whether through their time, talents, or donations, to send an e-mail to info@CMAKFoundation.org.

Reporter Jenna Visca can be reached at jenna@thebee.com.