Mercer Holds First 5K Ruck March

On Nov. 15, the SCI Mercer Veterans Service Unit—with the support of the Inmate Activities Committee—hosted its first 5K Ruck March to benefit the Liberty House in Erie. Twenty inmates from the VSU and general population at Mercer participated in the march. The participants gathered hygiene items to place in their pack; items could be purchased by or donated to the participant. One hundred and fifty pounds of hygiene items were collected with the heaviest pack weighting fifty pounds. Participants had one hour to complete the march while wearing the pack. Three cash prizes were awarded and one participant choose to donate his cash prize to the Liberty House. The inmate organization purchased clear backpacks for the event. The backpacks will be donated to a local school district to give out when a child is in need of a new backpack throughout the school year.

The Liberty House is a nonprofit organization that helps homeless veterans. Some of the inmate participants had received help from the Liberty House while on the street and were very happy to help return the favor.