'Team Challenge' to Raise Funds to Help Crohn's and Colitis Foundation

Team Challenge, the athletic training/fundraising program of the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America, or CCFA, is hosting a fundraiser on Sunday from 4-8 p.m. at Palmer's American Grille, 123 Fulton Street in Farmingdale.

Palmer’s is providing its venue and a buffet and drink specials at the bar. Live music will be performed by Acoustically Correct, featuring songs from the 60s and 70s including Beatles, Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan, Mick Jagger, Steven Stills, Jerry Garcia, Van Morrison, and more). Raffle tickets will be sold for prizes, including a 50/50.  

Admission fee is $20.  Organizers say all of the funds raised benefit the CCFA.   

Anyone, regardless of their athletic ability or experience, is encouraged to join Team Challenge, or TC., which has several races, including a triathlon, half-marathon and more.  Those who sign up are committing to raising monies while TC provides them with professional coaches to train for the three months prior to a race, as well as transports them to the race destination and hosts them for the event weekend, according to event organizers.

Team members are often an eclectic group, with varying ages and skill level in each sport that comprises a triathlon – swimming, biking and running.  Some are Crohn’s or Colitis patients, some have young children, or spouses or family members that are patients; all understand how devastating Inflammatory Bowel Disease  can be and are devoted to helping raise monies for research to find a cure, and education aimed at the medical community and those suffering, to help improve the care of IBD patients.  

Initially some didn’t know how to swim, others didn’t own a bike, some had little time to train.  What they had in common was the desire to help a most worthy cause, and to achieve their individual goals that had developed for very personal reasons.  Encouraging each other and being encouraged during the weekly workouts, and online, was very motivating and inspiring over the months of preparation.  Finally, travelling as a group for race weekend, who together, not only successfully finished the race, but witnessed each team member meeting their personal goals, created a bond that none had anticipated.  As a result, they continue in their commitment to the CCFA by creating this event and informing others about CCFA and Team Challenge.