Missoula, MT— The Montana State Air Force ROTC is bringing back its “Sweat for the Vets” 5K race, a community event aimed at raising funds for military veterans and active-duty service members. The event, originally hosted a few years ago, is being revitalized this year by Montana State Junior Gavin Birch, who is also a member of the Air Force ROTC.
According to Birch, the experience of participating in ROTC has been transformative, not only for himself but for his peers as well. He expressed pride in leading the effort to reinstate the race, which he believes plays a vital role in supporting both the military and the student-led Air Cats Club.
The 5K race will raise money for two prominent non-profit organizations: Big Sky Bravery and Warriors and Quiet Waters. Seventy-five percent of the proceeds will benefit these organizations, while the remaining 25% will go toward the Air Cats Club, a student group at Montana State that plays an important role in ROTC activities.
Brian Gilman, CEO of Warriors and Quiet Waters, highlighted the valuable partnership between his organization and the Air Cats Club. “They have been incredibly supportive of our organization, and we try to find ways to spread awareness about the work we do to fuel our mission,” he said. Warriors and Quiet Waters focuses on providing veterans with therapeutic outdoor experiences in Montana.
The funds raised will help further Big Sky Bravery’s mission of supporting active-duty service members by bringing them to Montana for outdoor activities. Jeremy Keller, Chief Program Officer at Big Sky Bravery, emphasized the importance of the partnership: “The money will go towards our active mission, which is continuing to bring out active-duty individuals to Montana.”
Birch encourages the community to take part in the event, whether by running, walking, or simply showing support. “We want people to come out and support the community,” Birch said. “Whether they want to run or walk, the goal is to raise money for the mission and bring attention to the work we’re doing at the Air Cats Club.”
The “Sweat for the Vets” 5K is a unique opportunity for community members to support local veterans, active-duty military personnel, and the students working to make a difference at Montana State. The race is expected to foster unity and raise awareness for important causes benefiting those who have served the country.
