Ruck-Up Inc. Is a small Veterans outpost out of Keene NH. Since its beginning around a picnic table in 2010 at Surry Park, Ruck-Up's goals and efforts have been simple, to focus on filling in the gaps for Veterans where others leave off. Ruck-Up set forth to do that under 3 pillars, Advocacy, Outreach, and Counseling. Everyone at Ruck-Up, including staff and board are volunteers. No Veteran ever pays for services. Ruck-Up receives no state or federal funds as they require enterance into the Veteran's files, and Ruck-Up will not allow that. They survive soley on donations, fundraising and the generosity of the community.
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They provide a list of services including...
Counseling (Individual and group)
-Ruck-Up helps provide Vet2Vet, Peer Counseling, AA, one on one, and group counseling.
Some other supports included telephonic outreach to Vets in crisis or facilitation with outside organizations for hospitalization. Ruck-Up also has direct contact and corporations with the VA and other mental health centers to provide the best services available. Services may be required for PTSD, Substance abuse, and in some case suicidal acting out. Ruck-Up, on average, during a group week serves more than 85 Veterans through groups.
In 2023, Ruck-Up was able to expand their group room and counseling areas.
Outreach Services
-Outreach not only helps with Outreach Services, they also work with Ruck-Up's food and clothing shelves for Veterans and their families need. Ruck-Up's intent is to fill the void that is left by other services. Ruck-Up works along side, the Community Kitchen, the Elks, and the BSA's annual food drive " Scouting for food" in Ruck-Up's efforts. Every year Ruck-Up also hosts Thanksgiving for area Vets who have no one to share it with.
Advocacy Services
- This service provides Veterans with free advocacy and assistance to help with the VA as well as social security disability claims. The simplest of needs is required in order for our military to help and work on themselves, and that is to be able to maintain housing and a healthy lifestyle (Maslow's lowest level on the hierarchy of needs). Without help in work or stable supports, how will they ever meet those goals?!
In 2021/22 Ruck-Up helped Veterans with more than $2,640.00 in benefits and services
In 2023 those numbers climbed over $1,649.00
Since Ruck-Up's start they have helped "capture " more than 12.3 million dollars in VA and Social Security Benefits for Veterans.
Homeless Prevention
-In the Local Keene community, Ruck-Up works and interacts with other agencies in helping Veterans witn Emergency Housing and Food. Ruck-Up provides their part, and then coordinates further coordination and cooperation through agencies such as, Easter Seals, Vets Inc., Combat Motorcycle Association (CVMA), Friends of Vets (FOV), American Legion Chapters and the local VVA. This is all done to ensure a Veteran can stay in their homeor gain permanent resistance. Ruck-Up helps Veterans obtain housing or save their homes with "Homeless Prevention Grants."
Since 2019, over $200,000.00 has been spent keeping Veterans and their families in solid homes and housing.
On any given night, theyre more than 38,000 Veterans homless per night.
Support -
Alongside other community Outreach efforts Ruck-Up, every year since their opening, 14 years ago, has hosted and provided area Veterans and their families support and supplies to do a yearly "Candle Light Vigil in the Park". More than 4,000 candles are supplied by Ruck-Up, as well as supportive staff and equipment. The center of Keene NH is lite up in honor of our Veterans and the fallen. Ruck-Up also works with the State of NH Daughters, Children & Sons of the Revolution to host an annual lunch honoring the service of NH Veterans. Ruck-Up is also involved with Laconia NH's "Bike Week" working with New England Vets, as well as the newest Chapter of the Rolling Thunder MC, (based out of Hinsdale NH), the American Infidels MC, the American Legion Riders NH & MA, and the Combat Motorcycle Veterans.
Suicide Prevention and Awareness Services
-Ruck-Up has a close relationship with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). Ruck-Up is the only team of Veterans who attends the AFSP's national "Walk Out of the Darkness", and for 8 of those years were the largest team on the East Coast. The walk, and Ruck-Up's own community walk on Veteran's Day each year, is part of their fight against Veteran suicide every day. 1 in 5 of every suicide nationally is Veteran. Roughly 22 Veterans a day take their lives, it starts with prevention and awareness.
Ruck-Up's work with ASFP in just 14 years has raised more than $1 million dollars!
Please think about helping us in our continued efforts in helping our local Veterans today!! No one should suffer in America, especially those who keep us safe and free.
Thank you!
The Plaistow NH American Legion Riders Chapter 34
