A Run for Inclusion—Why I’m Running the Publix Half Marathon to Benefit Kyle Pease Foundation
How do you practice inclusivity? I challenged myself to run the Atlanta half marathon last February to support a nonprofit partner with a mission to improve the lives of people with disabilities through sports.
If you had asked me if I ever thought I would run a marathon or half marathon before starting my company, I would have said you were nuts. I’ve always been more of a basketball and exercise through sports sort of person. But running 13.1 or 26.2 miles at one time? Not a chance.
I quickly changed my mind.
Over the last couple of years, we’ve worked with dozens of amazing nonprofit organizations who are all committed to driving their mission forward and many of them utilize the power of endurance sports to empower people to make an impact.
Why I’ve had a change of heart is simple: everyone else.
“I think that the power of sport gives people with disabilities the opportunity to dream and see the possibilities in their lives. I believe that KPF athletes have shared and seen what their fullest potential is beyond the finish,” said Kyle Pease, Founder of Kyle Pease Foundation, a nonprofit organization born with a mission to improve the lives of people with disabilities through sports.
I met Kyle after his foundation participated in an event on our platform and took home the grand prize donation for rallying their community to log the most activities over the course of a month. After learning more about KPF and having the chance to get to know Kyle and his story of determination, I was inspired to challenge myself.
Not only have Kyle and his brother Brent completed multiple endurance races together, including the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii, but Kyle has taken his journey to the next level by starting a foundation that gives people with disabilities the opportunities to participate in sports and race events just like him.
Since 2012, the Kyle Pease Foundation has given more than 150 people with disabilities the unique opportunity to participate in events ranging from 5K’s to Ironman.
Kyle, Brent, and the KPF team have demonstrated to me the power of inclusivity, what it can help people of all types accomplish, and the difference it makes on someone’s entire outlook and potential in life.
That’s why I challenged myself to start my own endurance journey alongside Kyle and two other runners in the Publix Half Marathon. I was excited, nervous, anxious, but most of all proud to be raising money to support the Kyle Pease Foundation and their incredible mission.
Blackbaud TeamRaiser® customers now have the ability, much like KPF did the Publix Half Marathon, to build out fully customizable activity-based events as an add-on to existing events or to start entirely new programs on the Good Move™ platform. Fundraising and engagement has never been easier on this new mobile-first fundraising experience!
The Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Event Software for Nonprofits
Find out how Blackbaud’s TeamRaiser® fits your organization.
