Oceanside CA— The IRONMAN Foundation^® will facilitate and distribute over $35,000 in charitable giveback to non-profit initiatives and groups in the greater Oceanside, California community in conjunction with the 2016 IRONMAN^® 70.3^® California triathlon taking place on Saturday, April 2, 2016. The IRONMAN Foundation Community Fund provides community and volunteer grant opportunities to non-profit organizations where U.S. IRONMAN^® events are held. In 2016, The IRONMAN Foundation will distribute more than $1.6 million in grant funding to support the needs of IRONMAN race communities across North America.

Volunteerism Grants

Within IRONMAN’s race communities, The IRONMAN Foundation provides a grant program to support organizations that have a volunteerism component. This year, The IRONMAN Foundation’s Community Fund will provide $25,000 in volunteer grant donations this year for the IRONMAN 70.3 California triathlon. “We are thrilled to continue our support of so many tremendous organizations that selflessly serve the Oceanside community,” said Christine Perkins, Community Relations Manager for The IRONMAN Foundation. Last year, volunteer grant funding was distributed among 46 community groups in the region.

Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation

The IRONMAN Foundation, in partnership with the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation (FHSPSF), will provide a grant of $10,540 to the Oceanside Fire Department Lifeguard Division to purchase a 2015 Yamaha VX100 Deluxe Wave Runner that will be a critical tool for lifeguard operations, enabling rapid rescue and retrieval of victims during rescue operations.
“In 2015, Oceanside had over 5.3 million beach visitors and over 2 million people in water attendance. This resulted in 103,000 preventative actions, 78,000 enforcement actions, and 3,000 rescues.” said Administrative Fire Captain, David Parsons. “Personal watercraft are an essential and integral part of lifeguard resources.”
“Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation, along with The IRONMAN Foundation, is grateful for the opportunity to give back to those who loyally serve our communities,” said Robin Peters, Executive Director of FHSPSF. “As IRONMAN athletes prove that ‘Anything is Possible,’ we feel that the mantra also represents what can be done to support the men and women who have dedicated their lives to protecting others.”
The IRONMAN Foundation will recognize this year’s grant recipients at the Athlete Briefing taking place at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, April 1, 2016 at the Junior Seau Pier Amphitheater.

Official Charity Partner

The IRONMAN Foundation has worked with many non-profit organizations in the form of charity partnerships throughout the years. The Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) is the Official Charity Partner of the 2016 IRONMAN 70.3 California triathlon. CAF’s Team Operation Rebound is on track to raise over $200,000 to help injured troops to heal through sports and get them from the frontline to the finish line by offering access to funding for equipment, training, and competition expenses.
Partnering with an IRONMAN^® or IRONMAN 70.3^® event provides a platform for charities to raise awareness and educate others about their cause while raising valuable funds towards their mission. Through these partnerships, $6,397,900 was raised to support their respective missions in 2015 alone, and $18.6 million since the beginning of The IRONMAN Foundation’s charity partnership program.
For more information on IRONMAN and The IRONMAN Foundation, please visit www.ironman.com and www.ironmanfoundation.org.

About The IRONMAN Foundation

Since its inception in 2003, The IRONMAN Foundation^® has made philanthropic contributions totaling more than $46 million dollars to numerous non-profit beneficiaries worldwide. The mission of The IRONMAN Foundation is: To leave IRONMAN’s legacy through philanthropy, voluntarism and grant making; by supporting various athletic, community, education, health, human services and public benefit non-profit organizations around the world. The IRONMAN Foundation is a U.S. registered 501(c)(3). For more information contact [email protected].

About the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation

In 2005, Firehouse Subs created the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation with the mission of providing funding, life-saving equipment, and educational opportunities to first-responders, public safety and military non-profit organizations. Through the non-profit 501(c)(3), Firehouse Subs has given $18 million to hometown heroes in 45 states and Puerto Rico. Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation is dedicated to improving the life-saving capabilities of first responders and public safety organizations in communities served by Firehouse Subs. For more information, visit www.firehousesubs.com/Foundation.

About Operation Rebound

Challenged Athletes Foundation’s® (CAF) Operation Rebound® program is the premier sports and fitness program for U.S. military personnel, veterans, and first responders with permanent physical challenges. It provides unparalleled opportunities to pursue active, athletic lifestyles by offering access to funding for equipment and training and competition expenses, Military Medical Center Physical Training (MMCPT) and sports clinics. To learn more, log on to www.challengedathletes.org