Heroes In Transition (HIT) is inviting individuals and teams to participate in its Not Your Ordinary Ruck4HIT Challenge Weekend to test themselves physically, all while supporting service members, veterans and military families in our region.
“This is a way for anyone to participate, anywhere in the world, in a physical activity that serves as a reminder of the hardships our military endures on a daily basis,” said HIT Executive Director Nicole Spencer. “We’re encouraging people to be creative and decide exactly how they want to honor our military as we collectively take steps to meet the needs of individuals and families who sacrifice so much for our country.”
To register for the event, which starts Friday, Sept. 30 and concludes Sunday, Oct. 2, visit www.ruck4hit.org. Funds raised will go to support HIT’s programs which heal individuals, strengthen relationships, build community, and empower those who are serving and have served and their loved ones.
People can also support the event with a donation at www.ruck4hit.org.
The weekend will kick off with an opening ceremony at 6 p.m. on Sept. 30 at Heritage Park in Mashpee. The public is invited to join in on a post-event celebration at Cape Cod Coffee on Route 130 in Mashpee, on Oct. 2, starting at noon.
The challenge weekend builds upon fundraisers that HIT initially organized during the pandemic when it had to adjust its annual Ruck4HIT fundraiser. In 2020, the Mashpee-based nonprofit held a virtual Ruck4HIT in which participants rucked not only on Cape Cod, but throughout the country and even abroad.
In the spring of 2021, HIT adjusted the event to a hybrid format in which teams and individuals could opt to participate in-person at Heritage Park or virtually. Last year, some walked, ran, or rucked from Heritage Park while others played pickleball, played golf without a cart, kayaked, biked, swam, and hiked. Participants wore a weighted rucksack or something similar to symbolize the burdens individuals serving in the armed forces carry with them each day.
“This is a way for people to challenge themselves to do something they normally wouldn’t do,” said HIT Board Member Savannah Fabbio, who is the co-chair of the Not Your Ordinary Ruck4HIT Challenge Weekend. “Whether it’s paddling a 10K, walking a 5K, or riding 100 miles over the course of the weekend, individuals and teams can set their own goals as we give back together to strengthen HIT’s work.”
HIT was founded following the death of Marine Captain Eric Jones who was killed in a helicopter crash in October 2009 while flying a combat mission in Afghanistan. His parents founded HIT to honor their son’s life, service, and commitment to his fellow troops. HIT’s programs include equine therapy; a spring and fall couples retreat; providing PTSD service dogs for veterans; financial assistance; Reboot, a six-session workshop for female service members, veterans, and spouses; and bimonthly outings for service members and veterans, military spouses, military families, and military couples.
