In Your Neighborhood: Ziply Fiber employees walk for America, veterans – and themselves

In the spring of 2026, members of the Veterans and Women’s Employee Resource Groups at Ziply Fiber decided to do something to recognize America’s 250th birthday. They also wanted to do something for their own health and wellness.

So, nine of them joined the Run the 250 Mile Challenge, a virtual race that invites participants to walk, run or hike 250 miles. Organized by Gone for a Run, the challenge supports Veteran’s Outreach, a non-profit that aids struggling veterans.

The idea came to Veterans ERG treasurer Casey Lleras, who simply wanted to find a fitness challenge with a big goal.

I work from home, and I just noticed during the day I needed a little more movement, she said. I searched this out for myself and asked the ERG if anyone wanted to do it with me.

Eight people joined her, and together they’ve already walked nearly 1,500 miles as a group. In July alone, they collectively walked 498 miles. They continue to get closer to their group goal of 2,250 miles.

Participants have been pleasantly surprised to discover how beneficial walking has been for their physical and mental health.

When the challenge started, Laura Cuadras was recovering from a serious illness.

I figured: I can walk, she said. It's my time every morning when nobody's awake. I need to do this before I do anything else.

Laura is up to walking about 2.3 miles every morning, and in July she totaled 62 miles.

The same goes for Dan Schrepel, who underwent a hip replacement last year. Getting on the treadmill in the morning has helped him regain strength and support his reconditioning. It was also a way for him to feel more involved in the Veterans ERG.

While other members lead presentations and attend the monthly meetings, The least I can do is put in a little sweat, he said.

Both Laura and Casey are active in the Women’s ERG and are non-veteran allies in the Veterans ERG. Casey was the Women of Ziply treasurer before being asked to help lead the Veterans ERG, also known as the Ziply Veterans Engagement Team (Ziply VET), where she has brought new energy and ideas. Each month, Casey shares the mileage totals with both ERGs in their respective group chats.

When you make a choice to be active, it’s so much more fun with people, she said.

Dan, a Central Office Technician who spent 24 years in the Oregon National Guard, says the group effort lends itself to a sense of camaraderie.

Vets form really good bonds in the military, and you get out, and you don’t see them anymore, and you kind of miss them, he said. With the ERG, You feel like you’re part of something bigger.

The participation fee of $50 to Gone for a Run goes toward Veterans’ Outreach and earns participants a t-shirt and medal with milestone tokens for every 50 miles achieved. Money collected by Veterans’ Outreach goes toward food, essential items, direct financial assistance and programs.

Though not a veteran herself, Laura grew up in El Paso, Texas near Fort Bliss with family members on her father’s side who served in World War II, Vietnam and the Gulf War.

We’re native, so that's part of the deal, to protect this land, she said. That's how I look at it. In return I enjoy volunteering, donating or raising money, initiating food drives and doing everything I can for the veterans who have served.

The Run the 250 Mile Challenge has been so successful that Casey imagines continuing it as a walking club even when America’s birthday year is over.

We should start in January and make our own medal, she said.

I just think it’s important to do things in community, Laura said. It’s showing so much spirit in our group and in our company. Hopefully, we'll get more people and the momentum to take care of ourselves and take care of each other.