One Mile Challenge 2023 Recap
It's been a week since we completed our second annual One Mile Challenge, and we're excited to share a review of how the month went.
Participation
Last year, 469 participants signed up for our first One Mile Challenge. This year, we had 2x participation — with 919 people joining in! Together, that's over 27,000 miles walked in the month.
The Leaderboards
Through both participant registration and donations, we have collectively raised well over our initial $100,000 goal for the challenge! Proceeds from One Mile fund our programs and our fight against veteran & first responder suicide.
73 teams were organized — bringing together individuals from companies, gyms, families, friend groups, and social media to combine forces for fundraising & camaraderie throughout the challenge. The Top 10 teams raised a total of almost $58,000.
Each person who joined the challenge automatically had an individual fundraising page. These 10 individuals raised over $11,000 collectively.
Thank you ALL for your support — each person who participated has made a difference: for your own life, for the guardians who see us all showing up for them, and through the funds raised to help our organization & the guardians we serve.
The Purpose
The reason we organized this challenge is the same reason that Guardian Revival exists: mental illness and suicide are disproportionately high among our Nation’s guardians in comparison to the general population.
Our guardians — veterans & first responders — are exposed to mental & physical trauma & stress. And personal, professional, and social stigmas related to mental health treatment among guardians make it even more difficult to address these problems & topics.
Our One Mile Challenge happens in September — Suicide Awareness Month — because the objective of the challenge is to raise funds & awareness to reduce veteran & first responder suicide.
So first, we want people to be aware of the issue of mental health challenges & suicide in our guardian population. But (especially as a population dedicated to action), we also want to go beyond awareness.
There are many ways we can improve our own mental and physical health as individuals, as well as show up for & help each other.
Think of your loved ones and consider some of the struggles they're facing.
No matter what our backgrounds or daily realities, every single person is challenged by their own battles. We can reach out & support our community by listening. Maybe there is an action we can take to help. And we can simply be more thoughtful & open in our conversations with others.
Being more mindful — more aware and considerate of our thoughts, words, and actions — is incredibly valuable and impactful.
Guardian Revival is a New York State 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization chartered to revive & preserve the mental health & well-being of our guardians at no cost to them. It is our mission to improve the lives of veterans & first responders.
We approach the topic of mental health with non-clinical language and run programs positioned to avoid the stigmas & barriers that can inhibit guardians from receiving help.
By participating in this challenge, and supporting GR in any way, you are helping us help our guardians:
Go on outdoor adventures with Another Summit — primarily in the Hudson Valley & NYC metropolitan area, but increasingly throughout the Northeast and spreading to more states across the country
Boots & Paws provides dogs as companions to guardians — similar to pets but so much more, these companions provide therapeutic benefits & encourage positive daily habits
Our music program, Encore, organizes jam sessions in Beacon, Manhattan, Mahopac, and Billings (Montana), plus virtual lessons for beginners and advanced musicians alike
G-Connect hosts in-person and zoom experiences for learning & connection
Our frequent Gatherings provide group conversations with fellow guardians and trained Peer Leaders
A Final Reflection
At the end of the challenge, we encouraged participants to reflect on the energy & time committed to the cause.
Life is a journey filled with unexpected turns and challenges, but the way we approach them determines our sense of contentment. Rather than viewing it as a distant or distinct goal to be reached, it’s essential to recognize happiness in the little moments & choices we make every day.
Prioritizing our well-being, both mentally and physically, allows us to navigate life’s complexities with resilience and grace. By actively cultivating a positive mindset and self-care habits, we can embrace the beauty of our journey and discover happiness in every step.
We hope that each of us can keep this in mind as we move forward in life — to take each moment one at a time, to invest in caring for ourselves & others, and to enjoy the journey.