‘Sweats For Vets’ Event Raises Money for Free Therapy for Service Members

DULUTH, Minn. — A Minnesota based organization hosted an event today, raising money for military veterans in a unique way.

Veteran Resilience Project provides free trauma therapy and resources to current service members, veterans and military spouses.

Friday the organization hosted the first annual ‘Sweats for Vets’ event, in which people hopped in saunas and cold plunges while raising money for the military community.

“All the money that is donated goes directly to supporting us, providing that free mental health care,” said Jonna Phillips, Veteran Resilience Project Executive Director. “So, we pride ourselves on, that a veteran would never receive a bill. And so we directly pay all the therapists that they see and they never have to worry about that piece.”

The event also had yard games, raffle prizes and an outdoor yoga class. Along with the chance to take a dip into Lake Superior.

“Even a sauna is so good for your mental health too, and just your mental well-being,” said Sarah Herrick-Smisek, a ‘Sweats for Vets’ participant. “And so getting to do that, taking a little bit of time for myself or whoever else is coming today, I mean it’s really a win-win situation. Taking a little time for myself, giving back to an organization, I mean what better could there be really.”

Veteran Resilience Project has provided around 600 therapy sessions across the state this year and hope to double that number in 2025.