The CMAK Sandy Hook Memorial Foundation, honoring Chase Michael Anthony Kowalski, strives to impact even more children and families through its Race4Chase programs and community initiatives with some additional events in 2025.

Race4Chase expansion is underway with plans to introduce more Race4Chase Kids Triathlon programs in new locations, with the goal for more children discovering their potential, building confidence, and forming lifelong friendships.

Chase’s Place Launch, a new online training hub for coaches and junior coaches, is in its early phases coming this spring. This resource will empower amazing coaches with tools, activities, and community support to make every Race4Chase session extraordinary, according to the foundation.

There will be more community connections with special events such as the 2025 Virtual Challenge, annual gala, Crazy 8’s Ride4Chase Poker Ride, and volunteer opportunities that bring supporters together in fun and meaningful ways.

“Each year the foundation looks at our budget and decides how many sites we can expand in our hub locations. Through word of mouth, new sites apply to receive acceptance to the program and the grant process. Through a board meeting we choose the additional sites based on the best outreach to children most in need of this experience,” said Brittany Kowalski, executive director of the CMAK Sandy Hook Memorial Foundation, and Chase’s sister. “This program has impacted thousands of children from all economic backgrounds and has taught them the fundamentals of swimming, biking and running along with a self-esteem boost that will serve them for the rest of their lives.”

Upcoming events include a line dancing class at Thrive in Middlebury on Friday, April 25 as well as the Chasing Destinations Gala at Newtown Community Center on Friday, May 30. Ways people can get involved include volunteering, donations, and participation. There are triathlons scheduled to take place in and out of state, including July 26 in Clover, S.C. and August 2 in Southington.

The foundation’s mission is “To celebrate the life of Chase Kowalski of the Sandy Hook tragedy, we are committed to inspiring community healing through family-focused triathlon events and wellness initiatives.”

The Kowalski family strives to capture Chase’s competitive spirit and vitality with this charity in his honor with a focus on health and wellness for children and their families. Chase entered his first triathlon at the age of 6 and won his age group. The CMAK Foundation has pursued programs and initiatives that encourage personal improvement, healthy lifestyles and strong families and communities.

“The pride we have bringing this program to children has helped our hearts heal a little bit each year. The loss of Chase was devastating and we will never fully recover from this loss. Watching his foundation grow in the past 11 years from three programs in Connecticut to 31 programs in five states is something we have been blessed to accomplish,” Brittany Kowalski said. “We didn’t get to see Chase grow up but we have had the honor to watch thousands of children cross a finish line and grow up in these past 11 years. Racers that started in the beginning are now 17 to 20-plus years old; some have become close friends and it’s been bittersweet to see all they have accomplished.”

For more information, visit cmakfoundation.org.

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Sports Editor Andy Hutchison can be reached at andyh@thebee.com.