Mission (click the images)
Why?
Ruck 'N' Run® was born out of a desire to:
Honor those who serve(d) by refocusing the over-commercialization of U.S. military observances.
Build camaraderie through shared experiences, interests, and accomplishments.
Connect the community through common ground, collective goals, and a deep sense of belonging, tradition, and purpose.
Simply stated, our Three Pillars are:
Honoring Those Who Serve(d)®
Building Camaraderie
Connecting the Community
How?
Created by an Army Drill Sergeant, Ruck 'N' Run® honors Veterans and connects the community through fun, motivating, yet challenging events.
Ruck ‘N' Run® Annual Event: Our annual boot camp inspired walk/run allows the general public to interact with those who serve(d) in the U.S. Armed Forces. This is our original and main event held on the Saturday before Veterans Day, on location in Republic, MO. Our Shadow (virtual) events allow the world to participate.
Honoring Those Who Serve(d)® Fund: Provides assistance to those who still serve in uniform and those who served in uniform that are in need or who are going through a difficult situation.
In Their Honor Fund: Provides assistance to families of U.S. Service Members that pass away. This can help offset the cost of food, lodging, transportation, and other unforeseen, incurred expenses.
Monthly Missions and Gatherings: Our Ruck 'N' Run® Series keeps our community engaged and mindful of Honoring, Building, and Connecting (HBC). Ruck ‘N' Run® HBC is our local ruck/run club that meets each month to continue building upon our Three Pillars. Check out RuckNRun.org/events for upcoming missions!
Our fire pit logo signifies bringing the community together to honor those who serve(d). We also have an online fire pit in the form of a video conference for those who serve(d) in the U.S. Armed Forces for open but secure discussion for the purpose of mutual edification and encouragement. ByTheFirePit.com
So What?
As of August 30, 2022, we’ve donated $15,000 and 9,390 pounds of food to nonprofit Veteran organizations to help Veterans in need (RuckNRun.org/charities). We've also set aside $3,500 for families of the fallen (RuckNRun.org/intheirhonor) and $4,735 for Veterans in need during a difficult time (RuckNRun.org/honoringthosewhoserved). We’ve also raised $5,655 for Military Kids Scholarship, to be presented during our annual event.
Here’s what others are saying…
★★★★★ “Best challenge run of the year!” - Paula T.
★★★★★ “Awesome event, awesome cause. Challenging course and we loved it. Cannot wait until next year! Great job staff.” - Cassia S.
★★★★★ “Well done race, for a great cause. Running and boot camp style exercise along the way...what more could you ask for? Then you factor in how much of the proceeds go to the actual charity and you have a winning event.” - Julia W.
★★★★★ “Growing up in a running family, I've participated in several organized races in my years but the Ruck N Run checked all the boxes for me [...] Everything from the information dissemination, sponsors, timing, and benefactors fit well and ran smoothly. The race itself is one long circuit course that will attack your body from every angle. Having all of the services out there represented and the camaraderie of the Veterans and their supporters just makes the whole event warm and welcoming. Good stuff.” - Christopher K.
How it all started
Honoring Those Who Serve(d)®
While stationed in DC, George W. Fuller served as a liaison for U.S. Service Members returning from overseas due to an injury or illness, which included those wounded in combat.
This unique duty allowed him to interact with thousands for U.S. Service Members on their journey to a full recovery.
One aspect of his duties was to give combat-wounded Service Members a grant in the form of a prepaid credit card. These were provided by the nonprofit organization called Army Emergency Relief and were presented on behalf of a grateful nation.
This gave him the idea to set up a fund to help provide assistance to families of U.S. Service Members that pass away. This can help offset the cost of food, lodging, transportation, and other unforeseen, incurred expenses.
So far, $3,500 has been set aside for the families of the fallen. This amount was raised through our 5th annual event and generous donations.
Honoring Those Who Serve(d)®
While stationed in DC, Ruck ‘N’ Run® creator George W. Fuller served as a liaison for U.S. Service Members returning from overseas due to an injury or illness, which included those wounded in combat.
This unique duty allowed him to interact with thousands for U.S. Service Members on their journey to a full recovery.
One aspect of his duties was to give combat wounded Service Members a grant in the form of a prepaid credit card. These were provided by the nonprofit organization called Army Emergency Relief and were presented to help their transition from battlefield to home-front.
This gave him the idea to set up a fund to help provide assistance to those who still serve in uniform and those who served in uniform. That’s why Honoring Those Who Serve(d)® is spelled with parentheses. This fund is to help U.S. Service Members and Veterans that are in need or who are going through a difficult situation.
A portion of registration fees from select events and generous donations will be set aside in a fund called, Honoring Those Who Serve(d)®.
military kids scholarship
April is the Month of the Military Child.
Military Kids are a huge part of the Military Family. When Service Members are gone for training or deployment, Military Kids are put to a different test, especially during holidays, birthdays, family time, life lessons, and everyday life.
In honor of all Military Kids, specifically Hannah H., who passed away April 11, 2020 at age 12, we created a mission called Military Kids. Read part one and two of Hannah’s story here.
Through our mission, we rallied and raised $4,000 towards a scholarship for deserving Military Kids, to be awarded during our annual event.
Ruck ‘N’ Run is Proud to Have Partnered with These Nonprofit Veteran Organizations!
COMBAT BOOTS AND HIGH HEELS
Combat Boots and High Heels (CBHH) believes that America's past, present, and future Veterans are one of the greatest assets to the strength of our nation. To that end: we strive to Engage, Enable, and Empower these men and women through mentorship and assistance.
Our ongoing goals are to enable through continued guidance, prevent negative outcomes through engagement, and empower through assistance. We're additionally focused on addressing certain unique needs that female service members encounter. Our volunteers and advocates tirelessly dedicate themselves to battling the negative effects present in today's Veteran community, such as suicide, depression, homelessness, unemployment and poverty.
CAMP HOPE:
Camp Hope is a retreat for military veterans wounded in the War on Terror. William “Mike” White and his wife Galia, created Camp Hope as a tribute to their son Christopher, who was killed fighting for our country in Iraq.
The mission of Camp Hope is to honor the fallen by helping the wounded. We offer all expenses paid adventures and comradery for our service men and women that gave selflessly for our freedoms.
HOME AT LAST
Home at Last is a program funded by the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) grant from the Department of Veteran’s Affairs (VA). Home at Last/SSVF is designed to serve veterans and their families who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. This program provides rent, utility assistance, furniture, case management and more to those who have served our country and now finds themselves in need of a little help.
Our veterans have sacrificed so much to protect our freedoms, so it’s time we come together as a community to provide them with a place to call home. The focus of Home at Last/SSVF is housing stabilization – using temporary financial assistance and community resources as a bridge to long-term stability. Possible participants for Home at Last/SSVF are veterans or veteran families that meet the program income guidelines listed below and are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.