The wear blue Gold Star Youth Program, in partnership with Amazon and The USAA Foundation, is a community impact program benefitting children of fallen service members. wear blue: run to remember is dedicated to providing each registered Gold Star child a military mentor. This mentor will provide his or her youth a glimpse into the life of service that defined his or her fallen parent, while participating in the life affirming action of running. This positive relationship and living memorial will promote continued healing and growth. The program currently operates for families in the Fairchild Air Force Base, WA; Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA; Joint Base San Antonio, TX; Fort Bragg, NC and Ft. Campbell, KY regions.
How it Works
The wear blue Gold Star Youth Program is designed as a multi-month mentorship and run training program. After careful screening, mentors are paired with a Gold Star youth. Our participating youth children range in ages 6 to 16 years old.
The program requires a commitment from mentors and youth every Saturday in the spring with specific start dates varying by location, at established weekly wear blue community runs. The weekly runs follow a prescribed training plan, culminating in a special Gold Star Youth 5k. Gold Star youth receive technical running shoes and gear, and both youth and mentors receive personalized wear blue: run to remember training shirts.
On race day, the mentor's training and guidance will allow the Gold Star child to proudly participate. It will be a meaningful day to celebrate and remember the parents of our Gold Star children, as well as all of our nation's fallen heroes.
What do weekly sessions look like?
• Youth and mentors meet with a wear blue leader at a designated local park.
• Youth and mentor discuss goals, training tips, and play games.
• Youth and mentor will participate in a training run. Participants do not have to be athletes.
• Throughout the program, youth will be provided opportunities to build their connection to a life of service through unique military field trips and their connection with their mentors.
Mentor Requirements
• Mentors should be currently serving members of our armed forces or recently separated veterans (within 3 years).
• Safety is our priority. Mentors are required to complete a federal background check. We will provide a link for the screening following your registration.
• A match coordinator will conduct an interview and lead a mentor training before you meet your match.
• Matches are formed based on common interests, led by the youth’s priorities, to include his/her hobbies and military interests.
• Mentor’s role is to empower the child through active coping mechanisms, positive encouragement, and healthy connections to a life of service.
Each mentor will receive training, wear blue apparel, and memories to last a lifetime.
Due to the generous support of Amazon Military and the USAA Foundation, the Gold Star Youth Mentorship Program is at no cost to participants.
Mentor Sign-Up
wear blue: run to remember is seeking members of our armed forces to mentor a Gold Star child. We request a commitment of 3 hours of training, and 9 weekly Saturday Runs and a 5k through Saturday, June 3, 2023. wear blue: run to remember will conduct a thorough application and matching process with interested applicants. At the conclusion of your application, you will receive detailed information explaining next steps. Thank you for empowering the lives of our Gold Star youth.
Key Dates:
November 17, 2022 - February 27, 2023: Accepting Applications for Youth and Mentors
February: Background Screening, Interviews, and Matching
March: Training and Meet your Youth
April 1 - June 3, 2023: Saturday Runs with your Gold Star Youth
NOTE: The 2023 program currently operates for families in the Fairchild Air Force Base, WA; Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA; Joint Base San Antonio, TX; Fort Bragg, NC and Ft. Campbell, KY areas.
