Nebraska’s annual ‘50 Mile March’ aims to raise funds to empower veterans

LA VISTA, Neb. (WOWT) - Every year, participants in the 50 Mile March walk from the capitol building in Lincoln the Omaha metro.

“One-hundred fifty people to walk 50 miles in unison for veterans, for their awareness, for their help,” said co-founder Jay Miralles.

Organizers said the event is growing. In its first year, six walked and raised $24,000.

At the fifth annual walk this Saturday, 150 people will make the journey with a $1.5 million goal.

“So far, we’re at $413,000, and we haven’t even stepped off foot yet from the capitol,” Miralles said.

Consulting firm FranNet of the Heartland, which is one of the sponsors, said the money goes to several efforts to help vets.

“Funds to help empower those struggling with mental health challenges and homelessness, most of which started with PTSD,” President Blake Martin said.

Ten percent will go toward local groups working with vets.

The majority will go toward the Community of Hope. It’s a planned village with more than 20 tiny homes for veterans, similar to the Siena Francis House cottages in Omaha. It will also include an on-site case manager and job opportunities for residents to learn basic job skills and remote work.

“Giving them a mission and a cause and giving them a purpose to run this community themselves—to be involved in it, to help it grow—it means everything,” Martin said.

They’re looking to buy five to 10 acres of land for it in Sarpy County. They’ve budgeted for $1 million to do that. Right now, they said they’re sitting at $430,000.

This weekend’s march is their largest fundraiser for the effort.

And while they’re no longer accepting applications to march in the event or volunteer, they’re still asking for donations.

The public is also invited to greet marchers when they finish their trek at Nebraska Brewing Company in La Vista Sunday.

Copyright 2024 WOWT. All rights reserved.