Ironman for IronPuppy
Posted : Oct 19, 2009 3:15 PM
Updated: Oct 20, 2009 6:46 AM
A local man's finish at Ironman Kona will also benefit many people who need some extra help to simply complete everyday tasks. This triathletes efforts benefit a cause he calls IronPuppy.
Joe Turcotte, a Colorado Springs corporate still photographer, just completed the pinnacle of Ironman events on Hawaii's big island. Preparing takes so much time, he says "some people consider it a selfish sport". Not for Joe, his athletic goals include helping others. This most recent event adds more than $10,000 dollars to fundraising efforts he started several years back when he had five endurance events scheduled in one year. Back then he started the IronPuppy project to raise money for Canine Companions for Independence. The first year, support for the fund-raising effort grew far beyond expectations. "I began with about 75 people on my e-mail list and by the end of 2006 the iron puppy update had grown to over 300 people.
Entrance fees alone for a single event can be more than $500. Showing a row of dozens of finisher medals Joe says, "This is the end result".
Now because of IronPuppy each medal he has not only symbolizes a finish, it also represents money donated to raise puppies into companion dogs. In three years over $46,000 dollars all going to train dogs that help people with disabilities live more independent lives.
The IronPuppy effort is part of Joe's Website, www.joeturcotte.com
