Hike for Hoosier Vets

Zach Day, a 26-year-old veteran of the war in Afghanistan, will begin a 2200 mile, 5-month long hike of the Appalachian Trail in early June, on behalf of HVAF which is currently providing housing and basic needs to 200 homeless veterans in Indianapolis.

Day’s journey will start on June 8, 2012 at Mt. Katahdin, ME and will carry him through 14 states to Georgia’s Springer Mountain in October 2012.
 

Day, who ended his 12-month Afghan tour, in August 2011, says he’s lucky to have strong family support, as well as support from the Indiana American Legion. But, he says many aren’t so lucky and find themselves without a place to live. This was Day’s motivation for his Hike for Hoosier Vets campaign, which he hopes will raised awareness and funds for HVAF.

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy has recorded fewer than 12,000 people that have hiked the entire trail since it was established in the 1930s. Day has been training for months, and he says he is prepared to face challenges along the way.

You can partner with Day, the Indiana American Legion, and HVAF to help expand supportive services for homeless veterans by making a tax deductible donation to HVAF in honor of Day’s Hike for Hoosier Vets. Make checks payable to HVAF-Hike for Hooiser Vets, PO Box 708, Brownsburg, IN 46112.  If you are interested in sponsoring Zach with a donation of equipment or gear, contact hikeforhoosiervets@gmail.com .

Day will be documenting his journey through a trail journal. You can follow his progress on the HVAF blog at hvafofindiana.blogspot.com starting next month. Connect with Zach on Facebook.com/HikeForHoosierVets and Twitter @hikeforvets and visit the website, www.hikeforhoosiervets.com .