Gilbert Legionnaires holding big fundraiser | Community

People who want to experience a tiny part of a military service member’s sacrifice while helping a worthy cause for veterans and their families have a unique opportunity Saturday, March 23, in Gilbert.

The Merrell-Mitchell American Legion Post 39 in Gilbert is holding a two-pronged fundraiser called “In Their Boots,” with participants wearing military-issue boots as they participate in a poker run to four nursing homes housing veterans and then walk a mile through the Gilbert Historic District.

During both events, participants will be raising money for the Arizona Fisher House in Tucson, the state’s only one of its kind and one of 184 around the world.

Fisher Houses are owned and operated by the Department of Defense or Department of Veterans Affairs in association with an attached military or VA hospital. 

Each Fisher House can accommodate 16 to 42 family members of veterans or active military who are patients at the adjacent hospital.

 The patients and/or their family members stay for free at a Fisher House and each features a spacious common kitchen, laundry facilities, dining room and a living room with a library and toys for children. Newer houses are 100% wheelchair accessible and include elevators. 

“As you can imagine, this relieves a burden that would normally obstruct such family support,” said David Burnheim, a Post 39 member who is co-chairing the Their Boots fundraiser.

While the federal government pays for utilities and major furnishings, the linens, furnishings and food are covered by donations.

Last year the Gilbert Legionnaires raised $30,000 for the Arizona Fisher House and this year they hope to exceed that total.

Registration for the poker run begins at 8:30 a.m. at the post, 202 N. Gilbert Road, Gilbert. The goal is to be back at the post by noon, when registration begins for the 1-mile walk that will start at front of Gilbert Post 39 Road, cross east and then north on Gilbert Road before crossing west at the Western Powerline Trail/Gilbert Road Trail Crossing and returning south to the post.

Anyone can register for the ride and/or the walk. 

“Allied Surplus graciously provides us with lightly used combat boots if one is interested in how simply 1 mile feels,” Burnheim said, though participants are not required to wear them. 

And even if they don’t wear them on the walk, participants will be encouraged to carry a boot to secure donations from people they encounter along the way.

Those who can’t make either event also can make a donation at champfoundation.org.

The post turns over its proceeds from In Their Boots to the foundation, which was created to support the Arizona Fisher House in Tucson.

Registered riders and walkers can win a prize for collecting the most donations.

The Merrell-Mitchell Post 39 Gilbert includes American Legion Riders Chapter 39, the Legionnaires of Post 39, American Legion Auxiliary Unit 39, and Sons of American Legion Squadron 39.

Information: [email protected] or 208-412-2270 or Co-Chair Merry Bernheim at [email protected].