Active Heroes and Team Rubicon Launch National 'Hump Day Hump'

Veteran-operated charities raise money for disaster relief as well as military families

Hump Day Hump is a 10-mile Ruck March where participants "hump" weight on their back throughout the march. Participants choose their event-outdoor hiking, running or even indoors on a treadmill.

"I'm heading to my local gym, Anytime Fitness, to walk 10 miles on a treadmill with 35 lbs. in my ruck sack," said Mareike Yocum, Hump Day Hump participant.

Mareike is one of many who will be participating at their local fitness center. Participants also choose the amount of weight to "hump" on their back. Funds for participants are raised through sponsorships.

The event is organized by Active Heroes and Team Rubicon, veteran-operated charities. Active Heroes has previously organized events to benefit military families, and has partnered with Team Rubicon for this Fourth of July 2012 event to raise funds to support both of their missions.

"We are really excited for this unique event to raise funds for military families," said Troy Yocum, founder of Active Heroes. "It's the first time we have created a Ruck March on the Fourth of July, and, since it falls on a Wednesday, it deserves a distinctive name like 'Hump Day Hump.'"

Active Heroes provides financial assistance and job placement to veterans, active duty military and their families. It is a volunteer-led charity and currently has thousands of individuals helping. The organization provides military families assistance with financial issues, as well as referral assistance and business attire for unemployed veterans.

Team Rubicon is an emergency response team made up of hundreds of U.S. military veterans. As a disaster relief organization and veteran-focused enterprise, Team Rubicon was founded in 2010 and has since impacted thousands of lives all over the world. Team Rubicon created Veteran-Focused Disaster Response, ruled by the concept that veterans can put their skills and experience to use during natural disasters, as they bring similar problems faced by troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

For more information regarding participating or sponsoring, visit www.humpdayhump.org.

About Active Heroes

Active Heroes is a volunteer-led 501(c)(3) charity that aims to strengthen military families and assist veterans and active duty members of the military by providing financial assistance and job placement. Active Heroes manages the dissemination of donations directly. Applicants are required to submit proof of military service and proof of need, and a case worker reviews each applicant's situation individually. Active Heroes does not provide cash to individuals; bills are paid directly based on determination by the case worker. Active Heroes uses StayClassy fundraising software to process online donations. Active Heroes Tax ID# 45-413-8378.