Greg Smith, Brent Pease, Lyle Tick, Kyle Pease at Inspire Brands Headquarters.
Fun get-togethers filled with camaraderie and deliciousness – images that pop into mind when thinking of chicken wings. Wings are comfort for the soul and catalysts for connecting people, which is why Buffalo Wild Wings, a sponsor of KPF, has a special interest in this nonprofit’s vision for creating opportunities of inclusion for every person with a disability.
Through their own foundation, Buffalo Wild Wings funds local communities so that people have access to facilities, equipment, transportation and staff for youth sports teams.
“The BWW foundation has focused on this issue of access for several years,” says Catherine Strawberg, Community Impact Manager for Inspire Brands Inc. “KPF is making sure that those who normally don’t get access to sports, get access.”
Greg Smith, KPF board member and push athlete, informed the president of Buffalo Wild Wings, Lyle Tick, about KPF along with Brent and Kyle’s goal of completing The Ironman World Championship. Piquing Tick’s interest, the completion of Kona was not only a dream fulfilled by the Pease brothers, but also the inciting incident that catapulted BWW’s partnership with KPF, symbolized by the BWW hat Brent wore as Team Pease toed the triathlon’s finish line.
Brent and Kyle Pease crossed the finish line in Kona, HI at the IRONMAN World Championships in 2018 wearing a Buffalo Wild Wings hat in support of our partnership.
“After that, I met with Kyle and Brent, and discussed how we could support their organization and their mission.” Tick says the Pease Brothers’ remarkable story, determination and goal was galvanizing.
“Buffalo Wild Wings believes deeply in the power of sports to both inspire and bring people together, which I think also lines up really well with KPF,” Tick states. “Plus, they are great fun, and enjoy wings and a beer.”
Initial BWW donations helped fund the publishing of Beyond the Finish, Kyle and Brent’s autobiography. Since then, BWW’s partnership and commitment have allowed KPF to successfully continue expanding opportunities for its athletes.
“We love the work that KPF does,” Strawberg says. With Community, Camaraderie, Sportsmanship, and Funas overlapping values, the partnership between KPF and BWW will be a win-win for years to come.
Greg Smith and Brent Pease enjoying Buffalo Wild Wings at home after a day of racing with The Kyle Pease Foundation Race Team.
Blog written by Kevin Enners