Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about The American Legion’s USA 250 Challenge, benefitting The American Legion Veterans & Children Foundation.
The American Legion’s USA 250 Challenge is a year-long celebration of our great nation, timed with its 250th birthday. American Legion National Commander James LaCoursiere, who kicked off the event, envisioned the challenge as a way to honor the nation with a commitment to embracing physical activity, supporting mental health and serving its communities.
American Legion Family members, other veterans and military personnel, community members, civic organizations, supporters and others are encouraged to participate in one or more ways.
Yes! Participants can pursue completion of the three challenge categories as individuals or as part of a team like a post, squadron, unit or chapter.
Please visit the challenge web page to learn more and/orthe registration pageto get started. When you register and pay the registration fee, you are able to choose a commemorative T-shirt in your choice of color, select your department to represent, and create or start a team, if you choose. You are also able to add more registrants like family members or friends, and or order additional T-shirts.
Participants will register for $30 for which they will receive a branded T-shirt to promote the challenge. The remaining proceeds go to the Veterans & Children Foundation (VCF).
The challenge started July 4, 2025, and concludes July 4, 2026.The challenge started July 4, 2025, and concludes July 4, 2026.
The challenge, modeled after The American Legion’s 100 Miles for Hope, goes beyond the physical aspects of the previous initiative. For the challenge, participants can choose to achieve goals in any of the following categories: physical activity, mental wellness and community service. Upon completion, participants are encouraged to visit the challenge web pagetodownload and customize, then share a certificate of achievement for each challenge category they complete.
Physical activity: Participants can cover 250 miles (or hours) of fitness activities however they choose. Examples for individuals include walking, hiking, running, cycling, swimming, using the elliptical, playing pickleball, rowing, etc. A group effort could be 10 teammates walking an average of 25 miles each over a period of time or 80 participants walking or running a 5K (3.1 miles), for example.
Mental wellness: Participants complete 250 hours of wellness activities. Examples include yoga, meditation and other forms of mindfulness. A group effort could be 10 teammates completing an average of 25 hours of yoga, for example. Other options would include having 250 participants take Be the One training, completing 250 Buddy Checks, etc. In this category, American Legion Riders chapters (or individuals) could create an event where they ride at least 250 miles.
Community service: Participants complete 250 hours of community service or reach the 250 threshold of a specific community service project. An individual could volunteer 250 hours or more. Some community service projects could include cleaning up 250 graves in a veterans cemetery, teaching flag etiquette to 250 students, sending 250 care packages to deployed troops, and other community service efforts supported by The American Legion.
The American Legion Veterans & Children Foundation was established in 1925 as the American Legion Endowment Fund. Since then, the donation-driven fund has helped millions of disabled veterans and military/veteran families facing unexpected financial challenges. The foundation is a separate tax-deductible nonprofit 501(c)3 organization with a dedicated board of directors and national steering committee.
We’d love to hear about your journey and share it on our Legiontown website, and potentially other American Legion media channels. Please visit Legiontown and look for the USA 250 Challenge category.
For questions about registration, the commemorative T-shirt and more, contact the event organizer.
