guardian revival Blog

Information & resources about our programs, outdoor adventures, dogs, music, peer support, mental health, and wellness.

Guardian Revival is a non-profit with free programs for guardians (active & retired):
Active Military, Veterans, Reserves, National Guard, Law Enforcement, Fire & Rescue,
Emergency Medical Services, Dispatchers, Corrections, and Federal Agents.

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Join our 2026 One Mile Challenge | Registration Guide

2026 marks the fifth year of OMC! We invite you to join our annual One Mile Challenge: a month-long movement supporting the mental health and well-being of military members, veterans, first responders, and their families. The challenge is simple: walk, run, roll, or ruck one mile each day throughout September. Whether you’re participating on your own, joining a team, or rallying your friends, family, coworkers, or community, every mile helps raise awareness and funds for our free programs serving guardians and their families.

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2026 GR 5K Race Event Recap

On Sunday, our community gathered in Carmel, New York, for the inaugural Guardian Revival 5K Race. Military members, veterans, first responders, families, friends, volunteers, sponsors, and supporters came together for a morning filled with movement, encouragement, laughter, and connection. And while participants did a great job racing the clock, what matters most is being able to show up, move, and connect with community. We’re so grateful to everyone who made this day such a success!

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Our Guardians Behind the Walls: National Corrections Officers Week

Every day, across the United States, correctional officers step behind secure doors and fortified walls to do a job that most people never see, but that every community depends on.

They manage tense environments, support rehabilitation, and maintain safety for those in custody, their fellow staff, and the public. The work is consistently demanding, sometimes dangerous, and all too often overlooked.

National Corrections Officers Week is an opportunity to change all that. It’s a moment each year that gives a chance to pause and recognize the officers and staff who serve on the front lines of our justice system.

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Last-Minute Training Tips for a 5k Race

If you think you can’t run your race because you’ve left your training til the last minute, think again — we’ve got you covered with this quick how-to guide that’s designed to get you across the finish line, whether you walk, run-walk, or run your 3.1-mile race from start to finish.

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Guardian Revival 5K Race in Carmel: Community Coming Together

Join us for the Guardian Revival 5K Race in Carmel on Sunday, May 17, along the scenic Putnam Trailway at Lake Gleneida. Wherever you are, however you want to join, there’s a reason and a way for you to get involved. The in-person event will be timed and top finishers will receive medals, virtual participation available for people outside the Hudson Valley, and we’ve got a Kids ½ Mile Fun Run before the main event! Team competition & awards for departments, businesses & community groups, and individual top finishers.

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Champions, Guardian Revival Katherine Conaway Champions, Guardian Revival Katherine Conaway

How to Fundraise for a Marathon (Real Strategies for Charity Runners)

Your guide to becoming a charity runner and raising money with purpose. Because running 26.2 miles is hard, but asking people for money can feel even harder. For our Guardian Revival Champions and other charity runners, fundraising is part of the reason to hit the pavement, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. The good news is that effective fundraising isn’t about being pushy or perfect. It’s about being clear, consistent, and personal.

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Guardian Revival, Homefront, Peer Services Katherine Conaway Guardian Revival, Homefront, Peer Services Katherine Conaway

What Love Looks Like

Media and representations of love, especially around Valentine’s Day, tend to focus on big expressions: flowers, dinner reservations, dramatic declarations. But most love — the kind that actually sustains people — is quieter than that. It looks like showing up, listening, and staying when things are uncomfortable. And for many, this kind of emotional connection was never explicitly taught.

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Guardian Revival Katherine Conaway Guardian Revival Katherine Conaway

5 Practical Tips for the Winter Blues

Shorter days, colder weather, and disrupted routines can affect mood and energy. Many people experience the “winter blues” — a seasonal dip in motivation, sleep quality, and overall mood. The good news: research consistently shows that small, consistent actions can help regulate mood during the winter months. Here are some easy, evidence-based ways to support your mental health during winter.

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Best Gifts of 2025: Holiday Gift Guide

Looking for thoughtful holiday gift ideas in 2025? This curated Guardian Revival Gift Guide features meaningful gifts for loved ones, friends, coworkers, outdoor adventurers, musicians, creatives, and dog lovers — with a special focus on mental health, wellness, creativity, and connection.

Created by the Guardian Revival team, this guide reflects our lived experience supporting veterans, first responders, and their families. Every recommendation is practical, intentional, and aligned with well-being — whether you’re shopping for the holidays, birthdays, or year-round giving.

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Guardian Revival, Dwyer Vet2Vet Katherine Conaway Guardian Revival, Dwyer Vet2Vet Katherine Conaway

2025 Veterans Appreciation Chow Down

This year marked our 11th Annual Veterans Appreciation Chow Down, and the community showed up in full force yet again! We welcomed 146 guests for the 11 AM seating and another 164 for the 2 PM seating — over 300 veterans, family members, friends, and community members gathering to share a meal, connection, and gratitude. Thank you to all who attended as well as our generous sponsors for making it happen.

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Suicide Prevention Month

Suicide Prevention Month isn’t just a date on a calendar — it’s a global movement. Every September, organizations, advocates, and communities come together to raise awareness and promote healing.

This month is more than just individual awareness — it’s a time to build connections, show unyielding compassion, and become a force for positive change.

It calls on us to educate ourselves and others about the risk factors, warning signs, and myths surrounding suicide. It encourages us to open our hearts and have stigma-free conversations about mental health. It empowers those who are struggling to seek help and reminds them that they’re not alone.

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Walking Together For Those Who Serve: The One Mile Challenge Presented By GOVX

Guardian Revival’s One Mile Challenge is a 30-day virtual event held every September during Suicide Awareness Month.

Participants commit to walking, running, or rolling one mile each day—30 miles in 30 days—to raise awareness and critical funds that support veteran and first responder suicide prevention programs.

This nationwide challenge is open to anyone, anywhere, and helps fuel Guardian Revival’s free programs that build community, provide mental health support, and ensure no guardian walks alone. Sign up today and take the first step toward making a difference.

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Join the 2025 One Mile Challenge

We invite (and encourage!) you to join our upcoming annual One Mile Challenge: a movement to support the mental health and well-being of our military, veterans, and first responders, and their families. OMC participants commit to walking, running, or rolling just one mile a day, every day of September. Learn more about the challenge, how to join, and how to help spread the word!

The challenge is simple, flexible, and powerful for you — and every mile helps raise awareness & funds for our free programs for guardians and their families.

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The Research Is Clear: Guardians Need Support. We are Here to Help.

The RAND Corporation and Benjamin Center (SUNY New Paltz) surveyed thousands of guardians across New York State. Their studies confirm what many already know — guardians face serious mental health challenges and aren’t getting the care they need. At Guardian Revival, we offer the kind of trusted, barrier-free support these reports recommend for military, veterans, first responders — and their families.

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Guardian Revival Kevin Davis Guardian Revival Kevin Davis

Military Appreciation Month

Our military service members (and their families) invest their time and physical, mental, and emotional health into their roles.

At Guardian Revival, our mission is to serve guardians & families, helping to improve their mental health & well-being.

During Military Appreciation Month, we recognize the significance of their service, both for our country & communities and for the individuals who serve. We invite you to learn more about this month and how we can honor our military service members & veterans.

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Guardian Revival, Encore Kevin Davis Guardian Revival, Encore Kevin Davis

Vietnam Veterans Day: Remembering Their Service & Sacrifice

Every year on March 29th, the United States observes Vietnam Veterans Day, a solemn occasion dedicated to honoring those who served during the Vietnam War. Over 2.7 million American service members were deployed, and more than 58,000 made the ultimate sacrifice. The war deeply affected not only those who fought but also the nation as a whole.

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Guardian Revival, Encore Kevin Davis Guardian Revival, Encore Kevin Davis

With No Name on the Marquee: A Window Into the Experiences of a Vietnam Veteran

When the curtains rise on “With No Name on the Marquee, they’ll reveal a man stepping back into his past, and that of many of his fellow Vietnam Veterans, and the ways in which he grapples with the experiences in the war and the return to civilian life after his tour.

A cathartic experience for Veterans, active military, and civilians alike, this one-man, one-act play will transport audiences into the world of Veteran Vietnam as he shares his experiences and shines a light on what it means to have served in and returned from the Vietnam War.

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2024 Annual Report

We’re excited to share our 2024 Annual Report with you. Reflecting on another successful year across our core programs (Another Summit, Boots & Paws, and Encore), family program (Homefront), Peer Services division, newest location (Hawaii), and athletic fundraisers (Champions), we’re proud to report healthy finances & robust relationships as we wrap up our 5th year as an organization.

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Guardian Revival, Champions, Boots & Paws Kevin Davis Guardian Revival, Champions, Boots & Paws Kevin Davis

How to Run the Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego Marathon With Guardian Champions

This year, Guardian Champions is providing you with the unique opportunity to run the San Diego Marathon for a great cause, by raising funds and awareness to prevent suicide among veterans and first responders with Guardian Revival.

If you’re ready to take on the Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego Marathon with Guardian Champions, but you’re unsure of what to expect or how to get ready, this handy how-to guide will give you all the information you need to help you prepare, stay motivated, and make it across the finish line in style.

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Another Summit, Guardian Revival, Boots & Paws, Encore Katherine Conaway Another Summit, Guardian Revival, Boots & Paws, Encore Katherine Conaway

Revive & Thrive 2024: A Celebration of Connection, Community, and Purpose

On December 5th, 2024, Guardian Revival hosted our inaugural Revive & Thrive — a night dedicated to celebrating resilience, connection, and the incredible work being done to support our guardians. The night’s highlights included the premiere of two impactful short documentaries: the Boots & Paws Short Film and the Another Summit Mini Documentary.

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