23rd Veteran RUCK Life trek event for Veteran’s mental health

The 23rd Veteran RUCK Life trek fundraising event helped raised over $50,000 for Veterans’ mental health. Many participants are veterans, friends or families of those who’ve served or civilians wanting to support veterans. Usually people participating in the 23rd Veteran Ruck Life trek will carry military packs for several miles.

The money raised through 23rd Veteran Ruck Life helps veterans living with trauma. Mike Waldron, the Executive Director of 23rd Veteran talked more about the event. “RUCK life is a celebration of that fundraising. So people signed up, they got a fundraising page, are currently around $54,000 raised.” Waldron said. “We’ve got 280 people I believe on site at the moment, and they’re walking up to ten miles.”

It costs over $7,000 to send one veteran through their program. However, they are well on their way to their goal of raising $75,000 to help veterans and their families. Ray Singson, the Lead Race Director for 23rd Veteran and himself a veteran talked about his experience. “During the pandemic, I realized that I wanted to give back more.” Singson said. So I reached out and see if there were any opportunities to better serve. And since 2021 is when I officially got the title of lead race director. And I’ve been running the show ever since.”

Their 14-week program includes a group of 12 veterans, who are sent across the country and experience team building skills in nature. After their weeklong experience in the wilderness, they experience 13 weeks of physical fitness, positive psychology and holistic treatment. For more information about the 23rd Veteran RUCK life trek event you can look here. For other stories with the 23rd Veteran you can look here.