Support and empower veterans and service members living with PTSD.
Semper Fi & America’s Fund is honored to present the 2024 PTSD Century Hike, a transformative journey designed to raise awareness of the significant challenges service members face post-service—challenges that often last a lifetime. This year, veterans and service members will traverse 100 miles of New England’s historic trails over five days, demonstrating resilience and a shared spirit of hope.
This event is more than a physical challenge; it’s a powerful movement towards healing and recovery. The hike promotes peer-to-peer support and strengthens bonds among participants, all while raising awareness of service-connected trauma and the essential funds necessary to promote healing. These funds will provide basic needs support for service members and veterans participating in mental health treatment programs and/or those unemployed or underemployed due to worsening post-traumatic stress disorder or traumatic brain injury symptoms.
By supporting, you contribute to lighting the path to recovery and acknowledging the silent battles beyond the battlefield. Join us in celebrating the courage of our service members and veterans. Today. Tomorrow. Together.
2024 PTSD Century Hike Participants
Rene Braun
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Rene Braun
Originally from Wiesbaden, Germany, Marine Lance Corporal Rene Braun served our Nation for four years and suffered multiple concussions in Iraq. Now an active member of Team Semper Fi, the result of which has brought further healing, Rene is passionate about supporting his fellow veterans through sport and is a husband and father of four.
Daniel Deakins
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Daniel Deakins
A husband and father of two young children, Army Sergeant Daniel Deakins was injured in several IED blasts while serving on multiple deployments to Afghanistan. He was introduced to Team Semper Fi through a fellow veteran and has found TSF to be a “place to heal, grow, to keep moving forward, and to connect.”
Trevor Hess
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Trevor Hess
Commander Trevor Hess served in the Army Reserves from 1993-2020. After two six-month deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, he was diagnosed with PTSD as a result of his service. He is grateful to be a part of Team Semper Fi, which has allowed him to make connections with fellow veterans and TSF staff and encouraged him to keep moving forward on his journey to healing.
Ruben P.
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Ruben P.
After Army Staff Sergeant Ruben Pagan was injured during airborne training, he suffered further damage to his back and knees while on deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan and was later diagnosed with PTSD. Being a part of Team Semper Fi has proved to aid in his physical and emotional recovery for both Reuben and his family, who are also active members of The Fund family.
John Shafer
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John Shafer
Marine Corporal John Shafer served our Nation for nine years, including three deployments. While overseas, he suffered multiple traumatic brain injuries from IED explosions and was diagnosed with PTSD. An avid athlete, he has competed in multiple marathons with Team Semper Fi and is a part of The Fund’s NeuroFitness Program, which has proved to be lifechanging on his wellness journey.
Kenneth Toone
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Kenneth Toone
Marine Corporal Kenneth Toone was diagnosed with PTSD after serving our Nation in Iraq. With a desire to stay active, he joined TSF to rediscover the joy of running and has now completed four marathons and a 100-mile hike. TSF has encouraged many positive changes in Kenneth’s life, including helping him set new goals with endurance sports within a powerful community of fellow veterans.
Wendy Clough
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Wendy Clough
When Marine Captain Wendy Clough was diagnosed with PTSD after her service overseas, she joined The Fund family, which proved to be a great source of healing as she is now surrounded by a strong community of fellow veterans and has pursued new health goals. Wendy is currently training to paddle the Mississippi River from source to sea with six fellow veterans — an adventure that will take three months and cover 2,500 miles.
Your Support in Action
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Goal: $25,000
To Continue Our Mission,
We Need Your Help More Than Ever.
Why Donate to Semper Fi & America’s Fund?
At The Fund, we offer support that lasts a lifetime to ensure that our nation’s critically wounded, ill, and injured service members, veterans, and military families across all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces are never alone or forgotten on their road to recovery. Our heroes become part of our Fund family — and we become part of theirs — for life. To continue our vital mission, we need you.
- We assisted 11,700 service members, veterans and military families in Fiscal Year 2023 – our highest number ever.
- The number of people receiving assistance for basic needs such as food, fuel, utilities, and rent payments increased 24% this past year.
- We have averaged 2,000 new, first-time recipients per year over the past 10 years, including 2,100 this past year.
- A+ rating from CharityWatch, one of only three veteran nonprofits to receive their highest rating.
Join our Fund family and provide life-changing support to those who preserve our freedom … Today. Tomorrow. Together.