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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Another Summit Kevin Davis Another Summit Kevin Davis

Best Gifts for Outdoor Lovers 2025

Another Summit Director of Outdoor Adventure & Education, Henri de la Vega, curated this updated 2025 gear guide with proven equipment trusted by backcountry leaders, long-distance hikers, canoe trippers, and weekend adventurers alike to help you choose the perfect gift for the outdoor enthusiast in your life.

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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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Boots & Paws Kevin Davis Boots & Paws Kevin Davis

The Putnam County Guardian Dog Park

We’re honored to announce the dedication of the Putnam County Guardian Dog Park — a collaborative project between Guardian Revival, Putnam County, and the PFC Dwyer Vet2Vet Program — designed with compassion, connection, and community in mind.

Located in the Upper Park of Putnam County Veterans Memorial Park, this 50,000 square foot facility was created to provide a space where veterans, first responders, and their dogs can train, play, and connect. The park includes a public dog run for recreation, and a future training course is planned for K9 handlers, Boots & Paws recipients, and local agencies.

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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 Katherine Conaway Guardian Revival Katherine Conaway

2024 Year-End Note from Our CEO

To be human is to struggle. At Guardian Revival, this truth fuels everything we do. We don’t just help guardians and their families overcome hardships; we empower them to heal and rediscover their strength. Every step forward is a testament to the power of community and connection. These moments remind us why we do what we do and inspire us to continue.

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Another Summit Kevin Davis Another Summit Kevin Davis

2024 Best Gifts for Outdoor Lovers

Finding the best gift for an outdoor enthusiast can be tough — With all the different brands and items to choose from, it can feel overwhelming to find quality gear that provides functionality and speaks to your loved one’s adventurous spirit.

Henri de la Vega (our Another Summit Director of Outdoor Adventure and Education) has put together this holiday gift guide to help you find the perfect gift this holiday season.

With everything from larger gifts to smaller stocking stuffers that won’t break the bank, this list has been curated with nature lovers in mind and has the added benefit of allowing you to support American-owned companies and retailers when you buy.

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Another Summit Katherine Conaway Another Summit Katherine Conaway

Hiking Guide: Bull Hill / Mount Taurus

Discover one of the Hudson Highlands State Park's hidden gems. Easily accessible from NYC, this moderately strenuous hike offers breathtaking views of the Hudson River, Storm King State Park, and, on clear days, even the NYC skyline. Explore two route options and learn essential hiking tips for this scenic trail.

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Guardian Revival Katherine Conaway Guardian Revival Katherine Conaway

One Mile Challenge: Why We Walk

In September, we walk together for the One Mile Challenge to support & honor veterans and first responders affected by trauma and mental health struggles. Learn why we walk and share your own stories & reflections on OMC to help raise awareness and support suicide prevention in our community.

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