REQUEST A CARE PACKAGE
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
Mile in a Soldier’s Shoes is an annual Ruck March hosted by Kappa Sigma Fraternity in partnership with In a Soldier’s Shoes Foundation. Our military heroes put everything on the line — pushing their bodies, minds, and spirits to the limit in service to our country. Soldiers march for miles in harsh conditions wearing uncomfortable combat boots and carrying rucksacks that often weigh 80 pounds or more. Every step is demanding.
For one day, participants put themselves “in a soldier’s shoes” to honor that sacrifice. Carrying a 35-pound ruck — just half of what many service members bear. Participants gather sponsorships from the community and then march, walk, or run as long and as far as they can for 3 hours. Every mile raises funds to provide comfortable footwear for veterans and to support Operation: Final Tour, honoring disabled or terminally ill veterans with meaningful experiences.
They endured discomfort for our freedom — so we spend a day in discomfort to help get them back on their feet and let them lead the next mission.
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 | 9:00am | 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 | Layne Stitzlein | Layne.Stitzlein@gmail.com |
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 | ✓ |
BIG MAN ON CAMPUS
DONOR OF THE YEAR
The top donor for each University running the event will receive the Big Man on Campus Donor of the Year Trophy! Bragging rights for your post or business are yours for a year and your trophy case will earn a shiny new addition. Additional incentives for the top donor in each area may be added on a per-location basis. Stay tuned for more ways on how you can show your commitment to our veteran community while helping Mile in a Soldier's Shoes make a bigger impact than the last year!