KPF Has a New Look

In 2011, we were two brothers full of excitement and energy wanting to help others. Kyle and I sat with our advisors and told them we wanted to call our organization The Kyle Pease Foundation and we wanted to help individuals with disabilities race. Then we got very excited and named all of our social media “Walking with KPeasey” because in our minds that’s what we were doing. We were walking (racing) with KPeasey (Kyle).

Over 100 families and more than 1000 finish lines later, we realized that we were no longer just walking and we had created a brand issue. Who were we? The Kyle Pease Foundation or Walking with KPeasey.

Though the help of an amazing firm, Brown Bag Marketing, our team and many supporters, we have spent the last year digging deep to figure out exactly who we are, what we do and where we are going. In the last 11 years, we have grown and we have helped go beyond the limits of disabilities. And so we confirmed that we are THE Kyle Pease Foundation and we continue Pushing Beyond Limits TOGETHER!

The KPF Team is Growing...

Welcome Morgan Pappas and Zach Watson

The Kyle Pease Foundation is pleased to announce the hiring of Director of Development Morgan Pappas as well as Operations Manager Zach Watson. I recently had the chance to talk with both about joining our team and why they are so excited to join our KPF family.

A passion for sports, a desire to help others and a commitment to make a difference in their community – these are the qualities shared by KPF’s new employees, Morgan Pappas and Zach Watson.  

Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Morgan Pappas joins KPF as Director of Development bringing with her over seven years of nonprofit experience and ten years in the professional and collegiate sports worlds. Pappas met Brent and Kyle four years ago at the IRONMAN World Championship in KONA, where she provided fundraising support, pre-race prep and race support for the Pease team.

“They inspired me ever since that day to continue the work of championing all athletes, no matter their situation,” Pappas shared.

A runner herself, Pappas has completed the Chicago Marathon, Marine Corps Marathon and the Dopey Challenge at Walt Disney World. She will be racing in the NYC Marathon this fall. As a new mom to her son, Jack, Pappas and her husband, George, have two golden retrievers to round out their full house.

Zach Watson is a South Carolina native and alumni of the University of South Carolina. After receiving his master’s degree, Watson dove into the world of sports. His experience ranges from managing the football stadium at UNC Charlotte and the men’s tennis team at USC, to event planning for UGA, Georgia Tech, the Falcons and Atlanta United.

Prior to being hired as KPF’s Operations Manager, Watson showed up and rolled up his sleeves at 2022 Publix Half Marathon. After running 13.1 miles, he helped out post-race, volunteering where needed to make it a positive experience for KPF athletes.

“I take pride in seeing others succeed, no matter the circumstances,” says Watson.

Both Pappas and Watson are welcomed additions to KPF. Their can-do attitudes and grit compliment the team in place and will, most certainly, contribute to the continued growth of the foundation.

Together We Wheel!

We Pounded the Pavement TOGETHER

On Saturday, March 26, 2022, The Kyle Pease Foundation had the pleasure to wheel together at this year's Pound the Pavement for Peter.  Over 800 registrants joined us at Capital City Club for race day activities and the family fun run.  The energy at this year’s race day was epic after not being able to gather together in three years.  

We loved being back together with our friends and all of the families that support Pound the Pavement for Peter.  This year was the first time the race created a designated division for us and our friends from ESP (Extra Special People).  We loved starting the race off with almost 50 participants in the In-Chair and Special Assist Division.  

We were most excited about seeing our friends from ESP again for the first time since we ran the Publix Half Marathon in 2020.  Due to  COVID-19, we have not been able to race together or further our partnership with this amazing organization.  Reuniting at  Pound the Pavement for Peter,  was the kickstart, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for us together. 

A huge thanks to everyone with Pound the Pavement for Peter for taking such great care of us and our families.  We can’t wait to wheel together again soon!  

About Extra Special People (ESP):
Extra Special People, Inc. (ESP) was founded in 1986 in Watkinsville, Georgia to create a community of support for individuals of all abilities. Our founder, Martha Wyllie, noticed an unequal amount of opportunities for children with disabilities, beginning ESP as one week of summer camp for only 21 participants. Since our humble beginning, we have grown to now serve over 500 participants from over 30 counties in Georgia through 8 weeks of summer camp, annual after school enrichment programs, and ongoing family support.

ESP serves participants beginning at birth and with no upper age limit, welcoming participants with diagnoses of Cerebral Palsy, Down syndrome, Autism, Traumatic Brain Injury, Spina Bifida, and many more. Here at ESP, participants are never turned away because of their ability. Our specialized programs enable our participants to thrive with swimming, dancing, arts and crafts and cooking; family support, retreats, dinners, counseling, and holiday events. 

To learn more, please visit espyouandme.org/about-us.

Igniting and Nourishing Change for Good - Buffalo Wild Wings and The Kyle Pease Foundation

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

In My Wheels - Kyle Pease and Publix 2022

The Kyle Pease Foundation Staff Member, Kevin Enners, has launched a vlog series!