It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3,000

Chris Yates has lost more than 16 pounds since he started the second annual American Legion 100 Miles for Hope on April 1.

An even more important number for Yates is $3,000. That’s his goal for raising money for The American Legion Veterans & Children Foundation (V&CF) during the challenge. As of now, he has raised $1,845, putting him in first place among the more than 2,500 participants thus far.

“It’s all to raise money for a good cause,” said Yates, the Department of California judge advocate and member of Alvin Myo Dunn Post 365 in Vista, Calif. “Our association with Kilter makes it very easy. I can just simply go into my app and can hit fundraise.”

Kilter is the app that allows participants to register, track their progress and easily support the fundraising effort. (Learn more about how to register and get started here.)

Yates explained that once in the fundraising section on the app, participants can “start request,” then fill in the number of activities they set as a goal and a donation amount they are seeking. Once they press the “share” button, they are able to send a message to family members, friends, military buddies and others who they are connected to via email or text.

“I can send that out, or copy and paste it for Facebook,” he said. “And I just ask friends to contribute. Marines I’ve served with 25 years ago have contributed. People I went to high school with have contributed. The app makes it really simple for us to raise money for a great cause.”

Learn more about how use the app with these step-by-step instructions and/or by viewing this video.

All proceeds from 100 Miles for Hope donations, registrations and merchandise purchases go directly to the V&CF. The foundation provides Temporary Financial Assistance grants to eligible active-duty servicemembers and American Legion members with minor children in the home, and supports more than 3,000 accredited American Legion service officers who provide free assistance to veterans and their families applying for VA benefits.

Another way to help the foundation is for American Legion Family members to show their support with 100 Miles for Hope gear available at Emblem Sales.

“Wear your 100 Miles for Hope gear proudly, knowing you’re making a positive change in your life and the lives of the thousands of veterans who come to us for help each year,” said American Legion National Commander James W. "Bill" Oxford.

The commander also noted that you can support the foundation’s good work even if you don’t want to join the challenge. To send a kind contribution in support of those in the 100 Miles challenge, please make a donation today.

“On behalf of the veterans and families we serve, thank you,” Oxford said.