If you are exploring new opportunities for philanthropic involvement and personal fitness, Glenn Rosati and Andy Kunsberg have a suggestion.
You might want to try the eighth annual “Tri” for Acts of Kindness Sprint Triathlon, Duathlon and 5K Fun Run/Walk, a fundraiser for the Shyann Kindness Project, a nonprofit started in memory of Rosati’s daughter, Shyann.
“I hear that sprint triathlons and duathlons like the “Tri” for Acts of Kindness are becoming more popular because they can be a good opportunity to try one out — no pun intended,” said Rosati, who said the fundraiser supports a local nonprofit that helps kids in need and medically fragile children. “Year-to-year, about 42 percent of registrants are first-timers and 60 percent of the participants are women.”
Rosati said the shorter distances in the triathlon — a 300-yard swim, 13.3 miles on a bike and a 3.1-mile run — are less intimidating for beginners. The duathlon also offers the option to bike and run for those who don’t feel comfortable swimming, and participants can form relay teams.
“We are a very good sprint triathlon for novices and beginners and a great warm-up for Olympic triathlons. It is a great way to start off the triathlon season here in Tucson, which ranks among the top cities in the United States for triathletes because of our weather and terrain,” said Kunsberg, the event coordinator.
The event is also family friendly: For the first time it will offer a family triathlon and duathlon with relay teams comprised of family members.
“We are all about family, and it is really fun way for a family to compete together. It is also designed to get young people active in the multi-sport lifestyle,” said Kunsberg.
Additionally, the “Tri” for Acts of Kindness caters to first-timers and less-experienced athletes with two free clinics: the first at 9 a.m. Aug. 5, at La Mariposa Resort, 150 N. Houghton Road, and another at 11 a.m. Aug. 12 at Tri Sports, 4495 S. Coach Drive.
In addition to fitness, the event is popular because of its philanthropic appeal, Kunsberg said.
“All of the profit that we make on the triathlon goes back into the nonprofit; 100 percent of the profits go toward buying school supplies and other items for these kids in need. It is pretty incredible that we have reached so many kids and given out more than 86,000 books and thousands of school supplies, dental supplies and toys with a small army of volunteers,” said Kunsberg.
The Shyann Kindness Project gifts the items during events at elementary schools in low-income neighborhoods. Each gift is accompanied by a lesson on acceptance and anti-bullying and a message of kindness inspired by Shyann, Glenn and Sandy Rosati’s daughter.
Shyann was born with numerous medical complications and special needs, but exemplified friendship and love throughout her seven-year life.
As part of her legacy, the organization also supplies more than 500 backpacks filled with school supplies annually to Sunnyside children and stages a Christmas party that provides toys, clothing and household items to children and families in need.
“We want to come up with something really meaningful for these kids since that is the time when kids deal with ‘mean girl’ syndrome and bullying and cyberbullying are often prevalent,” said Sandy Rosati. “It is a really tough time for lots of kids, and we have seen that our message can make a difference. ”
