ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – A small group hoping to make a big impact gathered at Ashwaubenon’s Veterans Memorial Sunday morning before taking off to Milwaukee… on foot.
It’s hard to miss the students as they take on the trek, each of them carries a camouflage ruck sac. They hope you’ll stop and talk to them, so they can tell you what they’re about.
“It’s 140 miles so it catches your attention, right?” said Karsen Sherrick.
He is an ROTC student at St. Norbert College.
“My ruck weighs about 45 to 50 pounds right now.”
Sherrick tells FOX 11 he’s always up for a challenge, but it’s the reason behind the walk that got him involved.
“So I heard about this and I wanted to do it and then I heard about the cause and the impact that it has on local veterans who are dealing with mental illness and suicidal thoughts, of course, I wanted to help out in any way I could.”
For Kellen Witty, it’s being available for someone who just needs a person to talk to.
“That really is the best part is getting to meet all these people and hear their stories. That’s the whole reason we’re out here though, is to meet people and raise awareness.”
Witty tells FOX he and his classmates have a hefty goal to reach but are ready to put their boots on the ground.
“Last year we were able to raise a little over $10,000. Our goal is $20,000 so obviously, we have a lot more work to do.”
The $20,000 goal is supposed to represent the 20 veterans that die by suicide each day, according to the U-S Department of Veterans Affairs.
That money gets donated to 4th HOOA, or Helping Out Our American Heroes.
Tammy Hardwick, representing HOOA, says the money is used to fund the organization’s programs but takes up individual projects too.
“We’ve covered everything from repairing windows from a veteran to installing ramps or home improvements.”
She says it’s the little things that can make a big difference.
“We know there’s a lot of gaps with the veteran community and it’s a disservice to them really so we want to fill those gaps,” she said.
Sherrick and Witty say they should make it to Milwaukee by this Saturday.
The students will be stopping at participating fire stations during the nights.
