LANSING, Mich. — Footprints of Michigan will travel from Lansing to Iron Mountain on Saturday to participate in the Dickinson Veteran Appreciation Picnic from noon to 3 p.m. at Lake Antoine Park.

Through its Soles4Vets Program, the nonprofit organization will provide footwear to veterans as a small token of appreciation for their dedication and service to the nation.

Footprints of Michigan volunteers will travel nearly 860 miles round trip to ensure Upper Peninsula veterans have access to comfortable, properly fitting footwear. This will be the organization’s second year participating in the appreciation picnic.

At last year’s event, Footprints of Michigan distributed more than 500 pairs of shoes directly to veterans. The organization also provided several hundred additional pairs to the local Veterans Affairs office for distribution to agencies serving veterans throughout the area.

“Our veterans traveled wherever our country needed them, so traveling nearly 860 miles to serve them is the least we can do,” said Geronimo Lerma III, founder and executive director of Footprints of Michigan. “Every veteran deserves comfort, dignity and the knowledge that their service has not been forgotten. Providing a pair of shoes may seem like a small gesture, but it is our way of saying thank you for the sacrifices they made for all of us.”

The Soles4Vets Program was created to give comfort and dignity back to those who proudly served the United States. Through partnerships with veterans’ organizations, community agencies and appreciation events across Michigan, Footprints of Michigan provides new and gently used footwear to veterans at no cost.

The Iron Mountain visit reflects the organization’s commitment to serving veterans throughout the entire state, not just those located near its Lansing headquarters.

“From Lansing to the Upper Peninsula, Footprints of Michigan will continue going wherever the need exists,” Lerma said. “We are honored to return to the Dickinson Veteran Appreciation Picnic and look forward to once again serving the men and women who served our nation.”

Footprints of Michigan is a Lansing-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing footwear to individuals and families experiencing financial hardship, homelessness and other difficult circumstances. Through programs such as Soles4Vets, the organization works to provide warmth, comfort and dignity while continuing its mission of “Making a SOLEful Footprint in the Lives of Others.”