Oshkosh students “Sweat for a Vet” to raise funds for Old Glory Honor Flights

OSHKOSH, Wis. (WISS) – The juniors and seniors in the Communities 2 program at Oshkosh North High School are hosting “Sweat for a Vet,” a fitness fundraiser on Tuesday, Nov. 11 at the Frank Schade Fieldhouse. 

Abby D. is one of the students from Communities that is working to make the fundraiser a success. She said, “All of the funds that come from that go to a non-profit called the Old Glory Honor Flight, the Northeast Wisconsin Chapter. Their mission is to help send veterans out to D.C. So, we’ll give them the money, and they bring them out to D.C. And show them all the memorials out there and all of that stuff.”

The morning features a cross-fit style workout with modified options for walkers. 

“There will be like 10 activity stations. And then if you can’t do it, because they are like fitness activities, you can walk around. You can walk around the track,” said Abby. Ella S., another student with the Communities program, said the activities vary every year. “We have different stations. Like one year, we crawled under caution tape so it’s replicating what the military might do at some points.”

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Northeast Wisconsin Old Glory Honor Flight that transports local veterans to Washington, D.C. to visit various memorials.

Putting in the work

Ella said “Sweat for a Vet” is a fun way for young people to show veterans honest appreciation for serving their country.

“ The veterans are so important to us ’cause they serve our country. Even though we don’t see them physically serving…unless it’s on the news, they’re just so important to us. And I think it’s just our way to give back to them and kind of like honor them and give back to the Old Glory Honor flight. So they can take them out there to Washington, D.C. And they can connect with other veterans and realize how important their job is,” Ella said.

The Northeast Wisconsin Chapter has flown 78 missions. Each mission sends about 100 veterans to the nation’s capital. Ella said it costs $500 per person to send a veteran to Washington, D.C.

“So Communities is hoping to send a couple of those veterans on. To raise enough money through “Sweat for a Vet,” Ella said. “Our main goal is like 11. We really want to get 11 because that’s how many groups we have in Communities. Just one we’d be happy with. But, of course, we want to get more.”

The Communities 2 program partnered with Westside FIRE Fitness Camp to host this event. 

How to “Sweat for a Vet”

On-site registration for “Sweat for a Vet” begins at 5:45 a.m. The workout starts promptly at 6 a.m. The event will wrap up by 7 a.m., allowing participants to get to work or other Veterans Day activities on time.

Abby said anyone who wants to join in the fun is welcome. “It can be whoever signs up. You can be 10 or you can be 70. If you want to come and sweat and show your support to these veterans, go right ahead.”

Registration for Sweat for a Vet or donations can be made online at the Oshkosh Area School District website. Participation costs $15, with the option to purchase a commemorative event T-shirt for an additional $10. All proceeds from the event will go directly to Northeast Wisconsin Old Glory Honor Flight.