FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 6, 2025

CONTACT: press@iava.org

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America Announces Partnership with Iraqi Children Foundation’s “In Their Shoes” 5K Walk/Run

WASHINGTON, DC — Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the premier advocacy organization for post-9/11 veterans, is excited to announce our partnership with Iraqi Children Foundation (ICF) for their 13th annual “In Their Shoes” 5K to benefit Iraq’s most vulnerable children.

ICF works to support and invest in Iraqi children including orphans, street kids, child laborers, and victims of trafficking. The annual 5K race raises funds to help ICF intervene in the lives of these children, who live in places where many of our members served and lived. 

“IAVA is proud to partner with ICF for the ‘In Their Shoes’ 5K and to have Team IAVA runners and walkers participating in this event,” said IAVA CEO Dr. Kyleanne Hunter. “ICF and IAVA share a mission to support our wartime allies and this event directly benefits Iraqi children who need our help.”

Our research has shown that 72% of IAVA veterans think more should be done for our wartime allies, while only 3% say less should be done. 12% of respondents were personally involved in the withdrawal from Afghanistan four years ago. Moral injury continues to impact our community and contributes to PTSD and mental health concerns.

The event will take place in one month on September 6, 2025, at Rock Creek National Park in Washington, D.C. In addition to the in-person race, simultaneous virtual 5Ks will take place globally, to include supporters outside of D.C. To learn more about the “In Their Shoes” 5K and ICF’s mission, please visit their website. You can register to join Team IAVA here.

For media inquiries, please contact:
press@iava.org
(212) 982-9699

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America is the leading voice of the Post-9/11 generation of American veterans. We represent over 425,000 members, and our best-in-class, non-partisan advocacy on behalf of the post-9/11 generation of veterans has chalked up big wins for our community – and America – for 20 years and counting.

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