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If you are a veteran in need of a new pair of shoes, regardless of your financial or housing situation, please contact us or fill out our online form to request your shoes for yourself or your family.
ABOUT
Our veterans carried the weight of service long after their time in uniform ended. Through our Mile in a Soldier's Shoes Ruck Marches, participants have the opportunity to experience a small glimpse of that sacrifice while helping support veterans in need.
Throughout the year, In a Soldier's Shoes hosts ruck marches that challenge participants to carry a weighted rucksack and walk alongside others in support of those who served. While no civilian event can truly replicate the physical and mental demands faced by our military, these marches serve as a powerful reminder of the resilience, determination, and sacrifice required of our nation's heroes.
Participants gather support from their communities and take on the challenge together, with every step helping fund our mission. Proceeds from these events provide comfortable footwear to veterans in need, support veteran outreach efforts, and help grow our Enduring Legacy initiative.
Enduring Legacy is a vision of In a Soldier's Shoes that aims to honor terminally ill veterans by granting meaningful experiences and fulfilling final wishes within the scope of our mission. Similar in spirit to organizations that create life-changing opportunities for those facing difficult circumstances, Enduring Legacy is designed to ensure that veterans who have sacrificed so much for our country are recognized, celebrated, and supported during some of life's most challenging moments.
They carried the weight of service for our freedom. We carry a ruck to honor that sacrifice, support veterans in need, and ensure their legacy lives on.
IMPACT
While Mile in a Soldier’s Shoes is our premier fundraising event, it is also an important area of impact for the veterans we serve. Veteran participation is encouraged, and this event is intentionally designed to support both the physical and mental health of those who have worn the uniform.
Recreational activity is vital for veterans, especially those managing PTSD, chronic pain, or the long-term physical strain of service. Staying active can help reduce stress, improve mood, build resilience, and strengthen social connection — all key factors in maintaining good mental health.
By rucking together — veterans, families, students, and community members — we create a supportive environment where veterans can move at their own pace, reconnect with others, and feel appreciated. The event isn’t just symbolic; it provides a meaningful opportunity for healthy activity, camaraderie, and community reintegration.
INFO
The event is open to the public for participation. Submit the form below to register for the event! Please complete the waiver of liability form ahead of time or sign one at the event before participating. Contact the event organizer for more information.
Suggested Distance: Army Standard Ruck - 12 miles in 3 hours (or as far as you can make it!); ROTC can use for fitness benchmark assessment. Only hosting Kappa Sigma members are required to wear a 35 pound ruck. Public and veteran participants can wear a lighter (or heavier) ruck/weighted vest, or none at all. Go at your own pace — run, walk, march, or simply show up to support!
If you would like to donate for this event, please do so on our DONATE page. The sponsorship tiers and their incentives are listed below. Please fill out the form completely and note any participant you would like to sponsor.
Waiver of Liability (Required): View/Download Here
Thank you for your support!
FIND YOUR EVENT
CHAPTER | DATE | TIME | LOCATION | ORGANIZER | EMAIL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
University of Michigan | 3/21/26 | 9:00am | Diag | 500 S State St, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 | Andrew Yang | Andrewhy@umich.edu |
Bowling Green State University | 3/21/26 | 3:30pm | Veterans Memorial on Campus | 1001 E Wooster St, Bowling Green, OH 43403 | Vincent Sciarabba | vinny.sci3@gmail.com |
Slippery Rock University | 3/22/26 | 12:00pm | Quad | 1 Morrow Way, Slippery Rock, PA 16057 | Daniel Lewis | daniellewis2442@gmail.com |
Michigan State University | 3/28/26 | 3:30pm | Spartan Statue | 426 Auditorium Road, East Lansing, MI 48824 | Noah Brown | samjdietiker@gmail.com |
Northwood University | 3/28/26 | 9:00am | Abraham Lincoln Statue | 4000 Whiting Dr, Midland, MI 48640 | Micheal Stutman | Michaelshtutman013@gmail.com |
Grand Valley State University | 3/29/26 | 9:00am | South Campus Drive (Kirkhoff/Bell Tower Center) | 1 Campus Dr, Allendale, MI 49401 | Tyler Auten | tauten2@gmail.com |
Western Michigan University | 3/29/26 | 3:30pm | Student Rec Center/Ellsworth Hall | 1903 W Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49008 | Mak Kreps | makreps1@gmail.com |
Ashland University | 4/11/26 | 10:00am | Quad | 401 College Ave, Ashland, OH 44805 | Kayin McDonald | kayin@inasoldiersshoes.org |
The University of Akron | 4/11/26 | 3:30pm | Coleman Commons | 302 E Buchtel Ave, Akron, OH 44325 | Jake | jakep623@gmail.com |
Muskingum University | 4/12/26 | 2:00pm | Quad | 10 College Dr, New Concord, OH 43762 | Mason Rose | mason.rose56789@gmail.com |
SUNY Fredonia | 4/18/26 | 9:00am | Willams Center Back Patio | 280 Central Ave, Fredonia, NY 14063 | Cam Shaper | gurn7987@fredonia.edu |
Penn State Behrend | 4/18/26 | 3:30pm | Bruno's Cafe | 4701 College Dr, Erie, PA 16563 | Logan Richer | lprichar04@gmail.com |
Miami University | 4/19/26 | 9:00am | Sorority Quad (Maple & Oak St.) | 501 E High St, Oxford, OH 45056 | Jacob Francis | franci14@miamioh.edu |
University of Cincinnati | 4/19/26 | 3:30pm | McMicken Arches (Arts & Sciences Hall) | 2600 Clifton Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45221 | Andrew Rightmyer | rightmac@mail.uc.edu |
Ohio University | 4/25/26 | 9:00am | Mill Street Fields | 1 Ohio University, Athens OH 45701 | Devin Roper | devinroper0426@gmail.com |
SPONSORSHIP TIERS
PERKS | THE SUPPORTER | THE RECRUITER | THE CHAMPION | THE PATRIOT | THE HERO | UNCLE SAM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Donation Amount | $1+ | $100+ | $200+ | $500+ | $1,000+ | $3,000+ |
Shoutout on Social Media | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Name Listed on Event Flyer | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Mile in a Soldier's Shoes T-Shirt | x1 | x2 | x3 | x4 | x5 | |
Name/Logo Printed on the Event T-Shirt | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
Collectible custom wall banner for your business
commemorating your support | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |||
Name or Organization displayed on starting line banner | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
Name or Organization listed as sponsor on website for 1 year | ✓ | |||||
Flag with your logo carried by a participant
for at least 5 miles | ✓ |