WHAT IS AN ARMED FORCES CHALLENGE?

The Armed Forces Challenge was conceived of by William M. Anderson, a retired Marine Sniper and Navy Seal. The purpose of the Challenge is to raise funds to support veterans of the United States armed services to help them and/or their families. 

Each year the event called the Armed Forces Challenge is held at St. John’s Northwestern Academies in Delafield, WI to raise funds to be donated to various non-profit organizations that support veterans and their families. The Armed Forces Challenge is not constituted in such a manner that we can directly support individual veterans and/or their families. The funds that are raised by the AFC are then donated to specific non-profit organizations that can directly benefit individual veterans and/or members of their families. Past recipients have included the Milwaukee Area Veterans Resource Center, Fisher House, and War Dogs. 

Prior to the formation of the Armed Forces Challenge as a voluntary, unincorporated, charitable, nonprofit association, we conducted the annual Challenge to raise funds for non-profit organizations that helped veterans and/or their families, but we did not state that we were a non-profit, and donations received were not designated as eligible for tax exemptions under the IRS Code.

Over the years, the event has morphed into an all high-school aged open predominantly to members of JROTC programs, junior police and fire fighter programs, students in military academies in grades 9-12 and high school students. The events include an assault craft relay, an obstacle course relay, a sniper crawl relay, a tire flip relay, a chin up competition and a team tug of war. Winners are awarded medals and a plaque.

Each year after expenses are paid, remember remaining funds raised from sponsorships solicited for the event, donations, and entry fees are combined to be donated to one or more designated charities. 

The event is conducted each year by a Planning Committee comprised of approximately ten volunteers under the direction of an Event Chair. The Planning Committee meets on at least a monthly basis and sub-committees under the direction of a member of the Planning Committee meet as needed.

The event started in 2013 with eight teams, and has had as many as 22 teams entered in the event in any given year. In 2023 we are striving for 20 Teams.

Donations greatly appreciated!

PARTICIPATING TEAMS:

JUNIOR LAW ENFORCEMENT – JUNIOR FIRE FIGHTERS/ EXPLORERS OR CADETS - MILITARY ACADEMIES - HIGH SCHOOLS