SHELBY — Roger Hawkins began rucking this year with friends who are veterans of the United States Armed Forces.
He said rucking — which the Cleveland Clinic explains is someone walking a set distance with a weighted pack on their back — is helpful for his friends to keep moving their body.
“It (rucking) helps with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) and helps with mental health,” said Hawkins, a licensed therapist who currently works at Abraxas Youth and Family Services in Shelby.
Intrigued by rucking and its benefits, Hawkins set a goal to complete a sponsored, 10-mile ruck to raise $1,000 for veterans.
“That’s where the idea started,” he said Tuesday afternoon. “Then it really grew rapidly.”
After two months of planning, Hawkins was joined Oct. 19 by 25 participants in Shelby to complete a 10-mile ruck which raised $7,900 for veterans.
From the start line to the finish line, 12 corporate sponsors contributed to the event, including VFW Post 291, Heartland Promotional Products, Knox Recovery, Der Dutchman Bellville, Abraxas Ohio, Golden Cobra, Barkdull Funeral Home, Sportsman’s Den, Taylor Steamer, Park National Bank, USW Union Local 3057 and Beer’s Automotive Services and Repair.
(Below are photos from the first annual Ruck for Vets in Shelby on Oct. 19. Courtesy of Roger Hawkins.)
Funds donated to veterans charities
While planning the first annual Ruck for Vets, Hawkins asked the Ralph Phillips VFW Post 291 if he could use its downtown Shelby location as the ruck’s starting point.
Instead, VFW Post 291 offered its location and a $3,000 matching sponsorship.
“I tripled my initial goal, so we really had to adjust on the fly about what it all looked like from that point forward,” Hawkins said.
After all expenses, the ruck raised $7,900 for two different veterans charities, including one national and one local.
Donations were made to Semper Fi & America’s Fund and Shelby-based Veterans with Pets.
A Marine Hawkins rucks with was able to speak on some of the opportunities Semper Fi & America’s Fund had given him and his fellow servicemen.
“He said on more than one occasion, he credits their charity for saving one of his servicemen’s lives,” Hawkins said.
Veterans with Pets assists veterans who have support animals by helping with expenses such as food and vet bills.
Ruck for Vets to continue annually
The 10-mile ruck traveled throughout Shelby and made stops at several monuments and memorials honoring veterans.
Hawkins said there isn’t a set pack weight for those who want to ruck, just suggestions.
“I personally ruck with about 40 to 45 pounds,” he said. “That includes everything but my water weight.
“If people want to ruck in events, those will sometimes have weight guidelines.”
He includes a link to rucking for beginners on the Ruck for Vets website.
Hawkins thanked the Shelby Police Department for its assistance with the event.
“We called them and told them we wanted a route,” he said. “It was actually Chief (Lance) Combs who added in all the monuments that were on the route.”
Moving forward, Hawkins plans to organize the Ruck for Vets annually, with VFW Post 291 committed to being the event’s long-term partner.
