Ironman Foundation announces Ironaid COVID-19 Support Fund

The IRONMAN Foundation has announced that in 2020, its existing IRONAID program will expand its resources to specifically focus on serving event communities in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic. IRONAID engages athletes in the healthcare industry who race IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 events, with the goal of raising funds and awareness for health-related causes. This year, all athletes will have the opportunity to support IRONAID, including Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series participants through Rock This Town, a program of the IRONMAN Foundation and the charitable program for the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series.

“At The IRONMAN Group, we are committed to supporting people impacted by this global crisis, especially in the communities where we operate,” said Andrew Messick, President & Chief Executive Officer for The IRONMAN Group. “We know that we can do much more together than we can alone, which is why we are working to provide essential resources to health-related nonprofit organizations around the world to help those who need it most.”

To kick-off the campaign, over $50,000 has already been committed to IRONAID through private and partner donations. Additionally, for the first IRONMAN Virtual Racing Pro Challenge scheduled for April 4 and 5, 2020, the IRONMAN Foundation will match all donations made during the race up to USD $10,000.

Community members that would like to join us in supporting IRONAID’s commitment can make donations at any time through the IRONAID website – www.ironmanfoundation.org/ironaid.

Additionally, recognizing that the immediate needs of communities will be different than those that will emerge in the months ahead, the IRONMAN Foundation has also established Operation IRONAID Face Masks, a program that repurposes new and unused event shirts into non-sterile face masks. The masks will be provided to COVID-19 patients upon discharge from the hospital to help keep others safe.

“As the world is faced with the unprecedented impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the IRONMAN Foundation stands with the global community and recognizes the ability to make a positive difference in these uncertain times with IRONAID,” said Sarah Hartmann, Executive Director for the IRONMAN Foundation. “Thanks to generous private and partner donations, we are pleased to kick off the campaign with over $50,000 USD already committed to IRONAID in addition to a matching donation campaign of $10,000 from the IRONMAN Foundation during the first IRONMAN VR Pro Challenge. To further amplify these important efforts, a portion of the fundraising efforts by TEAM IMF Athletes will also be dedicated to the IRONAID support fund in 2020. We are also looking forward to working with race operators and organizations around the world to help with the creation of non-sterile face masks from new and unused event shirts. We recognize that this is a challenging time, but our community is committed to working together to continue to create a lasting and tangible impact.”

IRONAID funds will be available for grant applications by health-related nonprofit organizations around the world. Organizations who fit the criteria are invited to apply for funding. Potential projects include:

• Providing personal, protective equipment (PPE) and supplies such as ventilators, CT/x-ray machines, etc.
• Supporting programs in the areas of housing/homelessness, healthcare, nutrition/food support, mental health, domestic violence, care for seniors, etc.
• Funding to support vulnerable individuals in quarantine.
• Funding organizations that are working in areas with poor access to regular medical services.
• Supporting groups that are focused on WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene).
• Supporting the research into SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19.

For full details on the IRONAID COVID-19 Support Fund and how to donate, apply for grant funding or participate in Operation IRONAID Face Masks, visit www.ironmanfoundation.org/ironaid. Race operators and organizations that wish to assist Operation IRONAID Face Mask with shirts that meet the criteria are requested to reach out to info@ironmanfoundation.org.