“We have been cooped up and self-isolating for so long that the 100 miles is a way to reintroduce exercise to Legionnaires and the country. In addition to what we gain from the exercise, we hope to gain some much-needed donations for our Veterans & Children Foundation.” American Legion National Commander James W. “Bill” Oxford, launching the 100 Miles for Hope Challenge on Aug. 3, 2020 Charles Mostoller/The American Legion
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merican Legion Media & Communications Division Deputy Director Henry Howard woke up one morning in July, laced up his shoes and went for a run. It was a daily routine for the 51-yearold long-distance competitor and certified running coach. But nothing about this year was routine. No races to run. No commute to the office. Planning the week’s media program with staff was handled through video conferences. Like everyone, he was in the semi-limbo of waiting for the pandemic to end, whenever that might happen. Like most American Legion National Headquarters employees, Howard had been working primarily from home during the pandemic. Running along a trail near Lafayette, Ind., thinking about a summer of lost competitions, an idea occurred to him: “What if we developed a virtual run or walk that would give American Legion Family members a safe and healthy physical outlet, given everything that is going on?”
That was the genesis of 100 Miles for Hope, a challenge for American Legion Family members and supporters to cover 100 miles any way they chose in the 100 days leading up to Veterans Day. The idea addressed a key finding from The American Legion’s COVID-19 survey: over 25% of respondents reported that “physical activity” was the best way to address emotional well-being during the time of self-isolation. National Commander Oxford had also made the American Legion Veterans & Children Foundation a top priority when he was elected in August 2019. The foundation provides funds to assist and train more than 3,000 accredited American Legion service officers, who provide free VA benefits representation for veterans and their families; it also supplies the national Temporary Financial Assistance program with money for cash grants to assist military and veteran families with
children at home, who are facing unexpected financial hardships. Oxford was completely onboard with 100 Miles for Hope as a way to fund those two important American Legion functions. “We have been cooped up and self-isolating for so long that the 100 miles is a way to reintroduce exercise to Legionnaires and the country,” he said as he kicked off the challenge on Aug. 3. “In addition to what we gain from the exercise, we hope to gain some much-needed donations for our Veterans & Children Foundation.” One week later, nearly 2,000 participants had registered to log 100 or more miles before Veterans Day. They were encouraged to choose their own mode of propulsion – foot, pedal, hoof, paddle, motor, whatever – and record their mileage to reach the goal. Each registrant was sent a bright red performance tech shirt and a sign that read “I DID IT!” to display when posting images of
COVID OPERATIONS: THE AMERICAN LEGION FAMILY’S RESPONSE TO THE GLOBAL PANDEMIC
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