Folds of Honor Iowa

10/28/2026

❤️🤍💙 A HUGE THANK YOU TO SCHEELS! 🇺🇸

Over the past couple of weeks, we’ve had the incredible opportunity to visit with Scheels employees and share the mission of Folds of Honor Iowa as one of six nonprofit organizations selected for their 2027 Employee Giving Campaign!

We are truly grateful to Scheels for this opportunity, for their continued partnership, and for their commitment to making a difference in the communities they serve. This campaign is just one example of that commitment, in addition to the many other nonprofits and charitable initiatives SCHEELS supports throughout the year. Their dedication to giving back is something worth celebrating!

And to the SCHEELS employees who took the time to listen, ask questions, and learn about our mission — THANK YOU! Your generosity and willingness to give back are what make programs like this so special.

We’re also honored to be alongside five other outstanding organizations doing amazing things in our communities:

🐾 Crisis Canines of the Midlands
🥫 Food Bank of Iowa
💙 Raise The Bar Initiative
🎨 Des Moines Children's Museum
🤝 United Way of Central Iowa

It was a pleasure meeting and getting to know the wonderful people representing these organizations. While our missions may be different, we all share a common goal: making life better for the people and families in our communities.

At Folds of Honor, we know firsthand the difference that community partnerships can make. In 2026, we awarded educational scholarships to 46 Iowa families of fallen or disabled military members and first responders, but another 28 qualified applicants went unfunded. Partnerships like this help us work toward a future where no deserving family is left behind.

Thank you again to SCHEELS, its amazing employees, and our fellow nonprofits for reminding us what can happen when a community comes together for a greater purpose!

🇺🇸 Honor Their Sacrifice. Educate Their Legacy.

10/14/2026

🇺🇸🏈 NEVER FORGET. NEVER STOP HONORING.

The young men playing high school football today weren’t even born on September 11, 2001. But that doesn’t mean they can’t help carry forward the promise to never forget.

This year, as our nation marked the 25th anniversary of 9/11, the Ankeny Centennial Football Parent Committee created special commemorative T-shirts featuring the words Never Forget.

Even better? They chose Folds of Honor Iowa as the beneficiary of their efforts!

Through shirt sales and the generosity of the Centennial football community, they raised $586.58 to support educational scholarships for the spouses and children of fallen or disabled military members and first responders right here in Iowa.

Recently, our chapter secretary, Shawna Sample, had the opportunity to meet with Ashlee Daniel and representatives of the Jaguars football team to accept their generous donation.

To Ashlee, the parent committee, the players, families, and everyone who purchased a shirt: THANK YOU!

You reminded us that remembering isn’t just about looking back. It’s about what we choose to do moving forward.

And these Jaguars chose to make a difference. ❤️🤍💙

10/13/2026

10/12/2026

🇺🇸 WHAT AN INCREDIBLE DAY! THANK YOU, IOWA! 🇺🇸

Our 2026 SCHEELS Folds of Honor Iowa Ruck of Remembrance is in the books, and we are incredibly grateful to everyone who helped make it possible!

From those who carried weighted rucksacks for 20 kilometers to those who walked their first 5K, every step represented something bigger than the distance traveled.

We came together to honor the sacrifices of our nation’s military service members and first responders, remember those we’ve lost, and support the families who carry their legacies forward.

And we couldn’t have done it without an incredible community of supporters!

🇺🇸 TO OUR SPONSORS:

A very special thank you to Scheels, Baker Group, and 515 Ruck Club for their tremendous support, partnership, and commitment to making this event a success!

We’re also incredibly grateful to Doll Distributing - Des Moines, Hawkeye Medical Services LLC/ IV Infusion Therapy, Henriksen Washout Systems, Koll Branded Solutions, Casey's, and Clemens Agency Co. for standing alongside our mission and helping bring this event to life.

❤️ TO OUR PARTICIPANTS AND SUPPORTERS:

Whether you registered, raised additional funds, made a donation, encouraged a friend to participate, or simply helped spread the word, THANK YOU!

Your support reaches far beyond the finish line.

🙌 TO OUR AMAZING VOLUNTEERS:

An event like this simply doesn’t happen without people willing to give their time.

We had an incredible group of volunteers, including individuals with military backgrounds, employees from RSM US LLP, SCHEELS team members, and community supporters who stepped up to help wherever needed.

From setup to cleanup, check-in to course support, you made this day possible!

🚒 TO OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS:

Thank you to the West Des Moines Fire Department for bringing the ladder truck and displaying our American flag so proudly. Thank you to the Iowa National Guard for bringing their Humvee. What powerful sights and fitting tributes to the men and women we gathered to honor.

Thank you to HEROES in FOCUS for traveling from out of town to livestream the event and help share the stories, the mission, and the meaning behind the Ruck of Remembrance with an even larger audience.

We’re also grateful to Jordan Creek Town Center for welcoming our event and the City of West Des Moines for allowing us to use its trail system for our course.

🎓 TO STEFI JANE OLSEN AND HER FAMILY:

One of the most meaningful parts of the day was having Folds of Honor scholarship recipient Stefi Jane Olsen, her father, U.S. Army Reserve veteran First Lieutenant Steven James Olsen, and their family join us.

Stefi is currently studying biology at Iowa State University, with plans to attend medical school and become an allergist.

Her father’s years of military service and Stefi’s determination to build a future dedicated to helping others are a powerful reminder of why educational opportunity matters.

To Stefi, Lieutenant Olsen, and the entire Olsen family, thank you for allowing us to share your story and for being part of this special day.

You helped put a face and a family to the mission we’re all working so hard to support.

🇺🇸 AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, HERE’S WHY YOUR SUPPORT MATTERS.

During our most recent scholarship cycle, Folds of Honor Iowa helped provide 46 educational scholarships to the spouses and children of fallen or disabled military service members and first responders.

But 28 additional qualified Iowa applicants went unfunded.

Twenty-eight deserving spouses and children who qualified for educational assistance but whose scholarships we simply didn’t have the resources to provide.

That’s the gap we’re working to close.

Every registration. Every sponsorship. Every donation. Every volunteer hour.

All of it moves us closer to a day when we can say YES to every qualified Iowa family.

To everyone who joined us, supported us, and helped honor the sacrifices of our heroes, please know how much it means.

This event has grown each year and we can’t wait to see you in 2027.

The 2026 ruck may be over, but the mission continues.

🇺🇸 HONOR THEIR SACRIFICE. EDUCATE THEIR LEGACY. 🇺🇸

(Feel free to share you photos and videos in the comments! We would love to see them!)



Folds of Honor

10/10/2026

LESS THAN 5 HOURS remaining to sign up for the SCHEELS Folds of Honor Iowa Ruck of Remembrance! While you're with your friends watching the Hawkeyes and Cyclones games tonight, make plans to come join us and remember some of those who are no longer here to watch with us.

Wear a pack, don't wear a pack. It makes no difference. All are welcome in this show of unity for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

Proceeds will help fund life-changing Folds of Honor scholarships for the children and spouses of Iowa's fallen and disabled service members and first responders.

See you at Jordan Creek Mall tomorrow morning!

https://runsignup.com/Race/IA/WestDesMoines/TheRuckOfRemembrance

10/09/2026

🇺🇸 LAST CALL! TODAY IS YOUR FINAL CHANCE TO REGISTER! 🇺🇸

REGISTRATION CLOSES 11:59pm, TONIGHT, October 9th!!

Tomorrow, we ruck. Today, you still have time to join us!

The 2026 Scheels Folds of Honor Iowa Ruck of Remembrance presented by Baker Group and 515 Ruck Club is almost here, and we'd love to have YOU walking alongside us as we honor our nation's military members, first responders, and the families who carry their legacies forward.

🎒 5K, 10K, or 20K — you choose!

🇺🇸 Military members and first responders (active or retired) participate FREE! Use promo code MILITARY or FIRSTRESPONDER when registering.

❤️ No weighted backpack required! This isn't a race. Whether you carry 40 pounds or simply bring yourself, every step has meaning.

📅 Tomorrow — Saturday, October 10

📍 Jordan Creek Town Center, West Des Moines

⏰ 20K: 7 AM | 10K: 9 AM | 5K: 9:30 AM

Every registration helps Folds of Honor Iowa provide educational scholarships to the spouses and children of fallen or disabled military service members and first responders.

We ruck to remember. We ruck to honor. We ruck to make a difference.

🔗 FINAL DAY TO REGISTER:
https://runsignup.com/Race/IA/WestDesMoines/TheRuckOfRemembrance

🇺🇸 See you tomorrow!

10/08/2026

🇺🇸 THIS IS WHY WE RUCK. AND TOMORROW IS YOUR LAST CHANCE TO JOIN US! 🇺🇸

When you participate in the Scheels Folds of Honor Iowa Ruck of Remembrance presented by Baker Group and 515 Ruck Club, you're doing more than walking a few miles. You're helping create opportunities for families who have sacrificed so much for our country.

This year, we're honored to welcome Folds of Honor scholarship recipient Stefi Jane Olsen and her father, First Lieutenant Steven James Olsen, who will be participating in the Ruck alongside us!

First Lieutenant Olsen served more than 17 years in the U.S. Army Reserve, including a deployment to Kuwait, and was disabled in the line of duty.

His daughter, Stefi, is now a sophomore at Iowa State University, studying biology with a minor in Spanish. She's also a member of the Cyclone varsity drumline and hopes to attend medical school to become an allergist.

Stefi is exactly why Folds of Honor exists. ❤️🤍💙

Her father's service and sacrifice are part of her family's story. Helping Stefi pursue her dreams is one way we can honor that sacrifice.

And when you join us for the Ruck of Remembrance, you're helping make stories like Stefi's possible for even more Iowa families.

⏰ REGISTRATION CLOSES TOMORROW, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, AT 11:59 PM!

🥾 Choose your distance: 5K, 10K, or 20K.

🇺🇸 Active and retired military members and first responders participate FREE! Use promo code MILITARY or FIRSTRESPONDER when registering.

You don't have to carry a rucksack. You don't have to be an athlete. You just have to show up with a willingness to honor those who have served and sacrificed.

👉 REGISTER BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE:
https://runsignup.com/Race/IA/WestDesMoines/TheRuckOfRemembrance

Come walk alongside Stefi, her father, and the Folds of Honor Iowa family.

Every step has a purpose. Every scholarship has a story.