Sweat4Vets

The fourth annual Sweat4Vets Post-to-Post Walk will take place Saturday, May 18.

The 2.5-mile walk will begin at 10 a.m. at the Rose-Harms American Legion Post in Grafton and end at the Peter Wollner American Legion Post in Cedarburg. The event is sponsored by the Grafton and Cedarburg American Legion Auxiliary units.

“The mission of the American Legion Auxiliary is to support our veterans and military, their families and our community,” said Amy Luft, Ozaukee County president and leadership chair of the American Legion Auxiliary.

“This event is a great way for us to do just that. Plus, it allows the community an opportunity to see who we are and what we do.”

When Luft and fellow Auxiliary member Maggie Geiger of Cedarburg first organized the walk in 2016, the pair thought the event would only have 50 people.

Since then, there have been more than 1,000 participants who raised more than $40,000 for charitable organizations such as Camp American Legion, Stars and Stripes Honor Flight and Healing Patriots.

This year’s walk will benefit Patriot K9s of Wisconsin, which provides therapy dogs to veterans who struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder.

“Our hopes are that we can raise enough this year to donate one dog to a needy veteran,” Luft said, noting it costs about $14,000 to have a dog fully trained.

Luft said there are two prizes for the top two participants who raise the most pledge money — a 50-inch television and a Fitbit. 

Participants can register at www.sweat4vets.com and at the Grafton Legion Hall from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, May 17 and starting at 9 a.m. the morning of the event. Registration costs $25 in advance and $30 the day of the event.

Veterans can participate for free, but must register. Children 12 and younger can walk for free. Leashed dogs are allowed on the walk.

Those attending are asked to park at the Cedarburg hall. Attendees will be bused to the Grafton hall.

Following the walk, participants can enjoy a brat fry, beverages and music at the Cedarburg hall.