In the spring of 2018, I carried a flag in honor of Corporal Josh Kynoch at Ironman Santa Rosa and presented it to his mother and daughter at the finish line. I did it again that summer at Ironman 70.3 Santa Rosa for the family of PFC Caesar Viglienzone. My teammates within the IRONMAN Foundation and I realized this needed to be bigger and spread to other races around the country.

The IRONMAN Foundation and I launched the Gold Star Initiative for the 2019 IRONMAN season so veterans and Gold Star Families could team up during Ironman events and share in the healing. It was a huge success and six veterans carried the flag for six Gold Star Families. 2020 will be even bigger. We have added more races to the Gold Star Initiative, including the East Coast and Midwest. To top it off, I have the honor of carrying the flag at Kona in memory of Lance Corporal Nick Anderson and presenting it to his mother, Lisa at the finish line. With all of these exciting and healing events, we need your help!

Here are three simple ways you can help:

1- Donate Directly to Mike’s IRONMAN Foundation Fundraising Campaign

Each dollar we raise goes to The IRONMAN Foundation will go to providing Gold Star Families a chance to connect with veterans and the community to heal together at an IRONMAN triathlon. Besides funding the Gold Star Initiative, the Foundation has provided millions of dollars in aid and assistance to communities hit with natural disaster. This includes the Santa Rosa wildfires, Hurricane Michael in Florida, and Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico. As I write this they are mobilizing their forces to assist with the wildfires in Australia.

2- Buy Tattered Beans Coffee

Tattered Beans Coffee gives back one third of each sale directly to veterans and first responders. I am proud to be sponsored by this veteran-owned company out of Pennsylvania that provides a handful of delicious roasts. You can get whole bean, ground, and K-cups. Best of all, each purchase will go directly to my fundraiser for the Gold Star Initiative. Buying coffee and supporting Gold Star Families? It’s a win-win!

3- Share this post on social media and email

Let your friends and family know about the Gold Star Initiative and how they can help support this campaign. Click the social sharing buttons on the left side of the window or simply copy and paste the web address and email it to others.

Learn more about The IRONMAN Foundation’s Gold Star Initiative