COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. —USA Triathlon and the USA Triathlon Foundation today announced they are collaborating with the IRONMAN Foundation to help raise funds for its recently-launched Harvey Relief Effort. As part of their overall support, USA Triathlon and the USA Triathlon Foundation will combine to match the first $10,000 in donations that are made by September 30 in the name of USA Triathlon. Effective immediately, such gifts will be solicited by USA Triathlon via a national fundraising campaign and tracked through the IRONMAN Foundation’s existing online donation page: www.ironmanfoundation.org/harvey.
Earlier this week the IRONMAN Foundation® announced that it had launched a Harvey Relief Effort campaign to raise critical funds in response to the catastrophic and ongoing severe weather and flooding in Texas. Funds raised will support recovery efforts and service projects in the greater race communities for the Memorial Hermann IRONMAN® North American Championship Texas, Memorial Hermann IRONMAN® 70.3® Texas and Humana Rock ‘n’ Roll San Antonio Marathon & ½ Marathon®.
"The immediate goal is to help facilitate as much aid as possible to the thousands who were displaced and irreparably harmed by Hurricane Harvey. USA Triathlon takes pride in the fact that multisport athletes form a caring community, so we’re asking them to lend a hand and I’m confident they’ll respond with generosity,” said Barry Siff, USA Triathlon President. “By joining the charitable arm of IRONMAN, we simultaneously hope to demonstrate industry solidarity.”
With record floodwaters devastating much of southeast Texas, tens of thousands of people have sought emergency shelter and more than 450,000 will seek federal aid in recovering from Harvey. When the Category 4 hurricane made landfall, it was the most powerful to hit the United States in a decade. Officials have called the catastrophic flooding the worst in the state’s history. Thousands have been rescued from flooded homes and cars and recovery will take years.
To help raise funds for those in need, the IRONMAN Foundation has set up three ways to help with the Harvey Relief Effort:
- DONATE – The IRONMAN Foundation will match all donations made by September 30, 2017, up to $10,000. Also, and as noted above, USA Triathlon and the USA Triathlon Foundation will combine to match the first $10,000 in donations that are made by September 30 in the name of USA Triathlon.
- T-SHIRT SALES – 100% of the proceeds raised through the sale of a custom Humanitarian Harvey Relief T-Shirt will go towards the IRONMAN Foundation’s Harvey Relief Efforts.
- VOLUNTEER – The IRONMAN Foundation will be setting up local service projects during race week at the Humana Rock ‘n’ Roll San Antonio Marathon & ½ Marathon, Memorial Hermann IRONMAN 70.3 Texas triathlon, and Memorial Hermann IRONMAN North American Championship Texas triathlon to provide hands-on rebuilding assistance.
“We are honored to have USA Triathlon partner with us on the Humanitarian Relief Effort," said Dave Deschenes, Executive Director for The IRONMAN Foundation. "The areas affected will require ongoing assistance and both donations now and, volunteer efforts down the road, are critically important for relief and recovery efforts. By including the additional reach of USA Triathlon, we hope to be able to raise more money and make an even bigger impact in these communities.”
Pledges and T-shirt purchases may be made online or at all IRONMAN, IRONMAN 70.3 and Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series event merchandise stores during September.
For full details on the IRONMAN Foundation Harvey Relief Effort and how to donate, purchase T-shirts or volunteer, visit www.ironmanfoundation.org/harvey.