360 Degrees of TEAM - The Heart of Delmarva

Mar 16, 2021

Jill Fears’ late son Danny continues to be a catalyst for community change and for the differently abled. Danny passed away just before his 8th birthday, but the memory of his joy and excitement for running continues. Throughout Danny’s medical journey, Jill and her family often found themselves away from home at the hospital for treatment. During this time, many organizations and the community rallied around to help support them.

One year, Danny’s health was so bad they weren’t able to hold the benefit birthday party they held every year. So instead Jill signed up for a 5K with a local organization and formed Team Danny. They equipped themselves with not only team tee shirts but with heart, and they became a top team fundraiser that year. But Jill wanted to more actively participate in the events with her son, the true hero. She wanted to experience for herself the exhilaration of competing in athletic events with her differently abled son. She wanted others to be able to experience this too.

On January 4, 2019, TEAM 360 became an official non-profit organization.

TEAM 360 began with, and continues with an incredible group of people that are committed to the success of the organization. Each member shares the same drive and passion for helping differently abled athletes. Founding board members include Jill Fears (President), Terry Moreno (Vice President), Jake Bernstein (Treasurer), and Kim Moreno (Secretary). Additional board members include: Bobby Robinson, Mary Rohde, and Nikki Rittling.

Their first race as an organization was the Tim Kennard 10 Mile River Run & 5K on March 24, 2019 in Salisbury, Md. They have also participated in the Seagull Century, Ironman, and numerous 5K and 10K races around Delmarva.

Like their organization name represents, they exist To Empower And Motivate people that live with different abilities to compete and train in mainstream athletic events. 

Differently abled athletes are partnered with one or more wingman to assist them during an athletic event. There is a captain in charge of the athlete, the pace, and the wingmen.

“Our wingmen and captains lend their lungs and legs to the athletes, but most importantly they lend their heart,” says Jill.

From the training to the planning to race day volunteers, so much love for the athletes and the families is illustrated at each race. The athlete’s health needs are of the utmost importance, so wingman and captain assignments are well thought out and executed. Everything from medical needs to stamina to logistics is considered. And they provide the specialty chairs and racerunners needed for running events and pull behind bicycles for cycling events.

“Everything we do is for the athlete. If they want and can safely participate partially in a race, then we want them to do it,” says Jill. “If an athlete can jog or run a half mile on their own, we support that. We are here to help them succeed as best as we can. It’s not about speed or pace, it’s about the experience for the involved athlete,” she says.

TEAM 360 also pays the full event registration fee and equipment costs for each athlete living with different abilities and their captain. Families of many athletes already have additional medical expenses monthly. “We don’t want there to be a financial deterrent that keeps athletes from running,” says Jill. Along with grants, they partner with local businesses to raise funds for the financial needs. Jill says that every time, “the community just rallies around our organization.”

“The Best of the Best”

TEAM 360 Treasurer Jake Bernstein says, “The best of the best are affiliated with this organization.” Jake knows first hand - he’s not just a board member, he’s an active wingman runner himself to his daughter Jessie. “It means a tremendous amount that athletes like my daughter can participate in these races through this organization. It gives her and others like her the same opportunity. To be able to push my own daughter is so rewarding and gives a purpose to my running,” says Jake.

So what’s coming up?

Currently TEAM 360 is preparing for the spring and summer event season. They have athletes excited for upcoming races, and find themselves in need of more wingmen and captains. Jill simply says, “We want to make sure that people are here to help (the athletes).” With around 100 wingmen and captains currently in rotation, more will be needed as the race season approaches.

Jake and his daughter Jessie are looking forward to the races this season and especially their favorite race, The Skipjack Run in Deal Island, Md. “We’re looking forward to getting out there again … getting back to the camaraderie," says Jake.

Just picture it - the sun beaming in the sky, the gear ready to go, the joy on the athlete’s faces and the excitement buzzing around the starting line. “Danny laughed and giggled every time we ran. He loved it!” says Jill of her late son. Thank you TEAM 360 for reminding us what having a heart for the community is. It’s giving of yourself by participation and lending a hand … or lungs or legs!

Some exciting news!

A new joint effort is in the works with the Physical Therapy Department at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES). The program provides graduate students an opportunity to work with the TEAM 360 organization and its athletes, and earn credit towards their independent study by sharpening their skills and partnering in the community. The students will share their knowledge and hands-on expertise, with the supervision of Department Professors, of safety and comfort procedures for athletes during training and in live events. The goal is to ensure that the athletes are as comfortable as possible when they are riding in racing equipment, such as race rockets. They want to lessen the discomfort to the athlete by reducing the breakdown of skin from contact and alleviating some of the strain their bodies take. 

“We are hoping to work together to serve the athletes better,” says Dr. Kate James, Assistant Professor at the UMES Department of Physical Therapy, of the developing program. “Some of our students signed up as wingmen too,” she says. TEAM 360 and UMES is excited for the launch of this program which seems like a natural fit for both.

Want to become a wingman?

Visit their website or check out their Facebook page. Donations can be made directly from their website.