A Legacy in Motion: Honoring Jake Vinson Through Inclusion

Meet “Jake” — A Legacy in Motion

We’re thrilled to introduce Jake, the newest race chair in the Kyle Pease Kids fleet. But Jake is more than just a race chair — he’s a symbol of heart, history, and hope. Named in honor of Jake Vinson, The Kyle Pease Foundation’s first official athlete, this new addition carries forward a legacy that continues to inspire inclusion in sport.

The Heart Behind the Name: Jake Vinson

Jake Vinson was the first athlete to represent The Kyle Pease Foundation. His spirit, determination, and love for competition embodied everything KPF stands for — inclusion, possibility, and perseverance.

Though Jake passed away in 2013, his influence lives on in every athlete, volunteer, and family who joins our mission. His story reminds us why we push: because every athlete deserves a chance to feel the thrill of the start line and the pride of the finish.

In 2015, KPF renamed its signature grant in his memory — the Jake Vinson Family Grant — ensuring that his name continues to change lives for years to come.

The Jake Vinson Family Grant: Changing Lives Year After Year

The Jake Vinson Family Grant was established to honor Jake’s legacy by providing financial assistance to individuals and families living with disabilities. Each year, the grant supports a recipient with the resources needed to improve accessibility, independence, and quality of life.

Funds may help purchase adaptive equipment, therapy services, or other vital resources that allow athletes and families to thrive. Every December, a deserving recipient is selected and celebrated at KPF’s annual End-of-Year Celebration — a fitting tribute to the spirit of giving that Jake inspired.

Through community support and fundraising events, especially The Jake Golf Tournament, 100% of proceeds go directly toward this grant and other KPF programs.

The Jake Golf Tournament: Playing for a Purpose

What started as a small golf gathering in Jake’s memory has grown into one of KPF’s most impactful annual fundraisers — The Jake Golf Tournament.

Held each fall at Berkeley Hills Country Club, this event brings together friends, families, sponsors, and athletes for a day of fellowship and fun on the greens — all while raising funds to keep Jake’s legacy alive.

Since its inception, The Jake has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to fuel KPF’s mission of improving the lives of individuals with disabilities through sports and inclusion.

Our heartfelt thanks go out to Live Forever Golf, the event’s presenting sponsor, and to every golfer, donor, and volunteer who continues to make this event possible year after year.

The Next Chapter: Meet the New Race Chair “Jake”

Now, the name “Jake” takes on new life — as the newest Kyle Pease Kids race chair. This adaptive racing chair is designed to empower our youngest athletes, giving them the freedom and joy of racing side-by-side with their teammates.

Just like its namesake, Jake represents courage, determination, and the power of inclusion. Every mile this chair covers will honor the memory of Jake Vinson and celebrate the mission that began with him.

Keep the Legacy Rolling

The spirit of Jake Vinson continues to move us forward — from the smiles of our athletes to the miles we cover together.

We’re not just racing — we’re carrying forward a legacy of love, laughter, and limitless possibility.

KPF Returns to TCS New York City Marathon in 2025

The Kyle Pease Foundation Champions Inclusion By Returning to the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon 

The Kyle Pease Foundation (KPF), a nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of individuals with disabilities through sports and beyond, is proud to announce its participation, through the support of KPF long-time partner, Silverton Mortgage, in the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon, one of the most prestigious endurance events in the world.

This year, KPF Athlete Naomi Hicks and Teammate Deanna Anderson have been selected as a push-assist duo team, representing the power of inclusion and teamwork on the race course. Alongside them, KPF Ambassadors Kim Spence, Tara Eagle, and Ed Moak will also compete in the marathon, carrying the foundation’s mission of breaking barriers and creating opportunities for athletes of all abilities.

“The New York City Marathon is an incredible stage for showcasing inclusion,” said Brent Pease, Executive Director of The Kyle Pease Foundation. “Naomi, Deanna, Kim, Ed, and Tara are not just running for themselves — they’re running for every athlete who dreams of equal opportunity in sport.”

Through these efforts, The Kyle Pease Foundation continues its mission of advancing inclusion in endurance sports while inspiring others to join in building a more accessible and unified community.

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About The Kyle Pease Foundation
Founded in 2011, The Kyle Pease Foundation is on a mission to change the national narrative and shed light on the challenges of individuals with disabilities in the workforce and across society through sports and groundbreaking initiatives like its Inclusive Employment Program. The 501(c)3 non-profit is breaking down barriers, serving as a blueprint for how companies can and should empower people with disabilities, while removing burdens and enabling meaningful work.

The Foundation’s proactive fundraising supports direct assistance for its constituents, medical or adaptive sports equipment, scholarships and contributions to organizations that provide similar assistance to disabled persons. Serving as an inspiration, Brent and Kyle Pease made history as the first push-assisted brother duo to complete the IRONMAN World Championship in 2018, and have since competed in more than 150 competitive racing events to continue advocating for a more inclusive world.

For more information on The Foundation or speaking opportunities with the Pease brothers, please visit http://www.kylepeasefoundation.org and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, YouTube and more.

Parker and Noah Gordon: Running Toward Inclusion

Brothers Pushing Together for Inclusion

Written By Kevin Enners

It was an early Saturday morning in Atlanta when Parker and Noah Gordon arrived at their first race with The Kyle Pease Foundation, Pound the Pavement for Peter. Runners stretched. Athletes settled into their race chairs and adaptive hand bikes. Volunteers hustled to make sure every detail was ready. Excitement buzzed through the crowd as the brothers joined the Support Crew, helping with sideline logistics.

For Noah, it was his first time seeing athletes of all abilities preparing to run side-by-side. For Parker, the thrill came from managing responsibilities of being a volunteer which included handing out bags to runners as the race kicked off.

Noah and Parker, 13, are twins, born just one minute apart. They grew up in Atlanta with their older brother, Spencer. Parker was born with Down syndrome, but to Noah, that has never defined their bond.

 “All we know is an inclusive environment,” Noah says. “I always want my brother to be able to participate in whatever I can do.”

Parker sees it just as clearly, though in simpler words.  “Me and my friends can do everything that Noah does.”

That shared belief led them to choose The Kyle Pease Foundation for their Bar Mitzvah project. Two years earlier, Kyle and Brent Pease had visited their synagogue. Immediately, the Gordon brothers felt a connection. Like Noah and Parker, Kyle and Brent were brothers. Like Parker, Kyle had a disability. And like Noah, Brent supported his brother so he could take part in experiences that might otherwise be out of reach.

“As twin brothers, one with a disability, we love that KPF offers individuals with disabilities the same experience as anyone else,” says Noah. “We are inspired seeing all athletes compete.”

When it came time to plan their project, the brothers didn’t want to just check a box. They wanted something personal. They raised money through social media, volunteered at races, and created a video sharing why the organization mattered to them.

“We have used social media to spread awareness, as well as speaking with so many others who had a personal connection to the organization,” Noah explains.

And the community responded. Friends, relatives, and neighbors shared their own stories, each with some tie to disabilities and inclusion.

“It was amazing how many people had a personal connection to the foundation,” Noah says. For Parker, the joy was in the doing: passing out race bags, cheering for runners, being part of something bigger.

For the Gordon brothers, this wasn’t just about helping others. It was about living their faith. Their project was an expression of tikkun olam – repairing the world – and chesed – acts of loving-kindness. They came to see inclusion as a way of practicing both.

“It helped me grow by showing me that there are always others who need your help,” Noah explains. “Even though they need your help, that doesn’t mean they aren’t going to succeed.”

The brothers aren’t stopping with one project. They want to keep showing up at races, at events, at every opportunity to make inclusion visible. Their message is simple: Athletes with disabilities deserve the same chances to compete, to cross finish lines, and to celebrate their victories.

“Inclusion is so important,” says Noah. “Parker is so happy when he is doing what my older brother and I get to do. It means the world to him, and I would never want to take that joy away.”

When asked what advice they’d give to other kids planning their own Bar or Bat Mitzvah projects, Noah doesn’t hesitate. “Choose a project that means a lot to you, that you believe in, and that you feel connected to on many levels.”

For Noah and Parker, that choice came naturally. They’ve been teammates from the very beginning, lifting each other up, and proving that inclusion isn’t just possible, it’s powerful.

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The Gordon brothers’ story reminds us that inclusion doesn’t just happen — it’s built through small acts of kindness, commitment, and showing up. You can help carry that spirit forward.

 Support The Kyle Pease Foundation by volunteering at a race, donating, or sharing their mission with your community. Together, we can ensure that every athlete — regardless of ability — has the chance to cross the finish line.

A Lasting Partnership for Inclusion

Live Forever Golf + KPF + The Jake

In 2020, Live Forever Golf made its first appearance at The Jake Golf Tournament—an event created to honor the legacy of Jake Vinson, The Kyle Pease Foundation’s very first athlete. What began as a new connection quickly grew into a lasting partnership rooted in shared values of friendship, community, and inclusion.

The Jake 2020

Fast forward to 2025: more than 120 golfers came together for the 11th Annual Jake Golf Tournament, and Live Forever Golf was front and center as the Presenting Sponsor. Their commitment has helped fuel not just a memorable day on the course, but also the mission of KPF—improving the lives of individuals with disabilities through sports.

Together, KPF, Live Forever Golf, and The Jake Golf Tournament have built more than just a tradition. They’ve created a community that rallies around inclusion, celebrates the power of sport, and ensures Jake’s legacy continues to inspire year after year.

The Jake 2025

Here’s to 11 years of The Jake, five years of partnership,

and the countless lives touched along the way

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The Kyle Pease Foundation Celebrates Inclusion at the 2025 LifeTime Chicago Half Marathon

The Kyle Pease Foundation (KPF) is proud to announce a historic milestone in endurance sports: for the first time in the KPF’s history, we will have a push-assist DUO Team representing The Kyle Pease Foundation in the 2025 Life Time Chicago Half Marathon on September 28, 2025.

Leading this groundbreaking moment, Andrew and Kathy Labus will proudly represent The Kyle Pease Foundation as the first DUO Team to participate in the event this September. This Mother-Son duo joined KPF at the TCS New York City Marathon in 2023.  Their presence embodies KPF’s mission of creating opportunities for athletes with disabilities to compete and thrive in sports at every level.

“This historic step by the Life Time Chicago Half Marathon demonstrates the power of inclusion,” said Brent Pease, Executive Director. “Andrew and Kathy are paving the way for more athletes to follow in the Chicago Marathon, and their efforts will inspire countless others to dream bigger.”

The Kyle Pease Foundation remains committed to fostering inclusivity and breaking down barriers in sports, ensuring every athlete has the chance to experience the joy of competition.

Good Luck Andrew and Kathy Labus!