In 2014, a college philanthropy event born from friendship and fraternity took its first steps — quite literally — toward something greater. A decade later, that event has grown into a nonprofit on a mission: to provide essential comfort and dignity to veterans through something as simple, yet vital, as a pair of shoes.
Now officially a 501(c)(3), the In a Soldier’s Shoes Foundation, founded by Brien Conrad, Zack Weilnau, and Kayin McDonald, has gone from raising a few hundred bucks on campus to bringing in over $24,000 in a single year — with big plans ahead.
Their motto?
“Just do the damn thing.”
And that's exactly what they're doing.
Marching with Purpose
It all began with a ruck march at Ashland University. Founded by Brien Conrad as a student-led initiative through the Kappa Sigma Fraternity’s Theta Nu Chapter, Mile in a Soldier’s Shoes was created to honor U.S. veterans — not just with words, but with action. The event encourages participants to walk a mile (or more) in weighted packs to simulate the physical burden of military service.
“We wanted to do something real,” said Brien. “Not just raise money — but connect, understand, and serve.”
Today, the event has grown in scale, visibility, and heart. What was once a fraternity fundraiser is now a fully registered nonprofit that directly supports at-risk and homeless veterans in Central Ohio and beyond.
The Power of Shoes
Zack Weilnau, co-founder and longtime business partner of Brien, also runs Pride Shoes company — a connection that turned out to be more than symbolic.
“They serve in combat boots every day. They deserve something better after service,” Zack said. “So we thought — let’s give them quality shoes, slides, sandals. Things that bring real comfort.”
Through that partnership, the foundation now provides tangible, high-quality essentials directly to veterans. No middleman. No red tape. Just a clean pair of socks and shoes in hand.
Veterans First, Always
What sets In a Soldier’s Shoes apart isn’t just what they give — it’s how they give it. Kayin McDonald, Director of Community Engagement, emphasized a key shift in their approach:
“Too many groups raise money for veterans without actually talking to them. We sit down with them. We listen.”
The team has spent the past year visiting local posts, shelters, and veteran communities to understand where the need is greatest. They’ve forged relationships with VFWs, American Legions, and individual vets throughout the region, focusing on under-served towns that bigger nonprofits often overlook.
Growth Fueled by Grit
Despite their rapid expansion — and ambitions to go national — the team hasn’t hit the usual startup snags.
“We cover each other’s gaps,” said Kayin. “We’ve all got full-time commitments, but we step in where the others leave off.”
Whether it’s Zack building the website, Brien running events, or Kayin forging local connections, the trio’s chemistry is a major reason why their foundation is gaining ground so fast.
They’re not waiting for permission. They’re doing the work.
What’s Next: Tournaments, Raffles, and Expansion
They’re not just growing — they’re having fun with it.
On Saturday, August 16, during the Bratwurst Festival, the foundation will host a beer pong tournament at the Bucyrus VFW from 2:00 to 6:30 PM. Tickets are $50 per team, with a portion of the slots reserved specifically for veterans. The winning team won’t just take home bragging rights — they’ll walk away with custom championship belts, one of which is already drawing attention in the lead-up to the event.
“We want the community involved,” Zack said. “Not just donors — participants.”
Tickets for the tournament go on sale Memorial Day at 2 PM, along with entries for their latest fundraiser: the "Got Your 6!" gun raffle. The raffle will feature six guns, with tickets priced at $10 each or 6 for $50. For every 150 tickets sold after the first 1,000, another gun will be added to the prize pool — and you don’t have to be present to win.
Both events can be reserved through the foundation’s website, and organizers expect strong turnout as community momentum continues to build.
While they’ve kept some of the bigger partnerships under wraps, they hinted at major collaborations on the horizon — and possibly a multi-state expansion of their mission.
One Step at a Time
At the core of In a Soldier’s Shoes is a simple truth: dignity matters. Socks are the #1 requested item in homeless shelters. Shoes that fit and don’t hurt can be the difference between staying on the streets and getting back on your feet.
“We’re not solving every problem,” Brien said. “But if we can make someone’s day a little easier — one step at a time — we’ve done something that matters.”
And if passion is a predictor of success, then there’s little doubt: they’re just getting started.
Want to Get Involved?
Head to inasoldiersshoes.org for upcoming events, partnerships, and donation opportunities. Follow their journey or better yet — join them in it. Whether it’s a march, a beer pong bracket, or handing a vet a new pair of shoes, you can make a difference.
As Brien would say:
“Just do the damn thing.”
