House of Telos, founder of the New Canaan Combine, is a major sponsor of the 2023 event benefiting the Gracie Fund for Pediatric Cancer.
Created by New Canaan’s Falsetta family—here’s an interview with dad Chris about the effort— the Gracie Fund is named for the Falsettas’ 12-year-old daughter who was diagnosed with leukemia last year and is undergoing treatments. House of Telos owner Rebecca Kimball, a 2004 New Canaan High School graduate (podcast here) founded the Combine, a fun athletic competition between the New Canaan Police and Fire Departments that also brings in community members to fundraise for a good cause.
We put some questions to Kimball about the Combine and Gracie Fund.
Our exchange follows.
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New Canaanite: For our readers who may not be familiar with the House of Telos, tell us a little bit about your business?
House of Telos on Forest Street.
Rebecca Kimball: House of Telos is a rebrand of Combine-X Fitness, a company I started in 2017. We are the convergence of sport and recovery; with a focus on personal and small group training with myself and Bill Curcio; acupuncture and cupping with Stephanie Coogan; and pilates, gyrotonic and reflexology with Robin Kleban.
Give us some background on the Combine. What is it and when did it start?
I first started the N.C. Combine in 2018. It is a competition where NCPD and NCFD battle it out in a variety of dynamic, athletic challenges all for a good cause. Local New Canaanites are also invited to join the rosters and compete.
How did you hear about the Gracie Fund for Pediatric Cancer?
House of Telos on Forest Street.
The Gracie Fund was created simultaneously with the development of the third N.C. Combine. My client and now friend, Chris Falsetta was going through the absolute worst time of his life last fall with his daughter, Grace getting diagnosed with leukemia. Before he created the non-profit, I told him to pick with his family any charity he wanted for the next combine. Fast-forward a couple of months, with such tremendous pride and determination he created The Gracie Fund, an inspiring non-profit that will change the lives of children with cancer and their families.
What made you want the Gracie Fund to become the beneficiary of this year’s Combine?
When Grace was diagnosed with cancer, there was only one direction I cared to focus on for the charity of choice for the third N.C. Combine. I never imagined that Chris would take it to this astonishing level and create this reputable non-profit, but if you know Chris Falsetta at all, then you know he is an unstoppable force. The Gracie Fund and the N.C. Combine have been catapulted to another realm, and I can’t wait for October 1!
It’s been about one year since you received P&Z approval to relocate the business to Forest Street. How’s it going?
It’s been going great! We are so happy with the new location, and the atmosphere that has been created for all of our clients. The work put in, the process to rebrand, renovate and rebuild was not easy, but all completely worth it. We are so grateful to everyone for all the support, and as always, proud to be a part of downtown New Canaan.
What else would you like to say about the Combine or the Gracie Fund?
First, save the date! October 1 at 9:30am. Bring your whole family! Admission is free. Second, if interested in competing please email me at rebecca@houseoftelos.com. And lastly, visit www.graciefund.org to read more about this incredible organization, and to donate to the cause immediately by purchasing this year’s N.C. Combine t-shirt.
Way to go, Rebecca!
Can’t wait to compete in this again. Great cause & event. Thank you, Rebecca and Chris.