From Combat Boots to Community Roots: Inside the Rise of “In a Soldier’s Shoes”

Full Article: https://freewire-magazine.com/from-combat-boots-to-community-roots-inside-the-rise-of-in-a-soldiers-shoes/?fbclid=IwY2xjawKPALtleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFMdHhOZGwxd1BUSnBQMkNRAR6SRjLC4IFnowwwHYQW4TsM0wdRIGoJKCK3lhCmbA0MfFxj9tqZsaiRg6-ZNQ_aem_fsCeNQGnYwlINyzrQsEibg

In 2014, a college philanthropy event began at Ashland University, initiated by Brien Conrad through the Kappa Sigma Fraternity’s Theta Nu Chapter. A decade later, it has evolved into the In a Soldier’s Shoes Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to providing comfort and dignity to veterans through essential footwear. Founded by Brien Conrad, Zack Weilnau, and Kayin McDonald, the foundation has grown from raising a few hundred dollars to over $24,000 annually, with ambitious plans ahead.

Their motto? “Just do the damn thing.”

The event started as a ruck march to honor veterans, encouraging participants to walk in weighted packs to simulate the military's physical burden. It now supports at-risk and homeless veterans in Central Ohio and beyond.

Zack Weilnau, co-founder and owner of Pride Shoes, partnered with the foundation to provide high-quality shoes directly to veterans, bypassing middlemen and red tape. Kayin McDonald, Director of Community Engagement, emphasized their unique approach of directly engaging with veterans to understand their needs.

The foundation has rapidly expanded without typical startup hurdles, thanks to the founders' complementary skills. They plan events like a beer pong tournament at the Bratwurst Festival and the "Got Your 6!" gun raffle to engage the community and fundraise.

At its core, In a Soldier’s Shoes believes dignity matters. Providing socks and well-fitting shoes can significantly impact veterans' lives. The foundation aims to make a difference, one step at a time, with plans for multi-state expansion.

Get involved by visiting inasoldiersshoes.org for events and donation opportunities. As Brien says, “Just do the damn thing.”