2.2 miles - 22 states in 22 days
Beginning February 2, 2022, WalkforVets.org, formally known as Buddy Watch Walk, will be embarking on another mission in support of the Veteran community.
To continue the mission of raising awareness of Veteran suicide and other issues Veterans endure daily, WalkforVets will be walking 2.2 miles in 22 states in 22 consecutive days.
They will begin in Maine on 2-2-22, and end in Indiana on 2-24-22. Each daily walk will start at 10 a.m. at the state capitals, with the exception being Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The February walks are a continuation of the mission that began with one man’s passion on October 1, 2019 on the Tybee Island Pier in Georgia. The 2,462 mile Buddy Watch Walk Pier to Pier ended on the Santa Monica Pier on June 14, 2020, in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
On October 1, 2020, the 601 mile Buddy Watch Walk East began in Jackson, MS, and ended on the Tybee Island Pier, where it all began, on December 3, 2020.
Afterward, founder John Ring shifted his mission from long walks to supporting other Veterans who felt called to walk for their brothers and sisters. Thus, in 2021, the Texas based organization, WalkforVets.org, was founded.
On October 1, 2021, WalkforVets.org supported it’s first mission for U.S. Army Gulf War Veteran John Mumby, who walked 301 miles from Winnsboro to Austin, Texas. WalkforVets.org coordinated Mumby's walk, finding lodging and other resources along his route.
Since December 2020, WalkforVets.org has also hosted several other walks in South Dakota, Idaho, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Texas and Arkansas.
In addition to walks, WalkforVets.org has teamed up with THEYGOTYOUR6 to establish the Wood County Veterans and First Responders Support Group with a mission to provide a safe environment to talk and build relationships with like-minded people who have similar experiences.
The group has acting advocates who assist local authorities with veterans in crisis, and focus on building a network of organizations that want to provide resources for the Veteran community.
Since beginning on October 1, 2019, WalkforVets.org has walked in 13 different states and has assisted Veterans in seven different states.
WalkforVets.org is honored that many of the Veterans they’ve assisted have been inspired to join various walks. The walks have given them the opportunity to speak to Veterans all across the U.S., and have given them a deeper understanding of the struggles and challenges Veterans deal with daily.
Although WalkforVets.org is an established entity, they are seeking sponsors to assist with funding the month-long mission. This will be the first sponsored event it will be hosting.
Every sponsor will be represented and mentioned daily on social media and in live streamed videos, including wearing any apparel and/or signage. The funds will be applied to fuel, lodging and food. All remaining funds will be donated to the GoldStars Tribute Wall TM to assist with a traveling PTSD display.
To become a sponsor, contact walkforvetsorg@gmail.com, 912-272-9347 or visit WalkforVets.org. To join a daily walk in your area, please continue to follow us for updates and event information.
We value your support. It takes a village….