By Susan Bromley

Staff Writer

Jeeping or walking, it’s all for the jugs.

Heather Roberts, a Groveland Township resident, just finished her seventh Susan G. Komen 3-Day Walk, joined by her five teammates who have dubbed themselves “Jeeping for Jugs,” as well as about 600 other participants in the event that raises funds to fight breast cancer.

“What was so important this year was that we were a complete family unit,” said Roberts, who walked alongside her husband Derek, son David, 17, and daughter Lauren, 16. Also with the family were friends Ryan Kimler and Becca VanHorn.

“Jeeping for Jugs,” so named because of the passion the Roberts family has for the vehicles and off-roading, raised $16,780 for breast cancer research, prevention and support for those battling the disease. To walk 60 miles in the 2016 event, which began Aug. 5 at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi and ended Aug. 7 at Ford Headquarters in Dearborn, participants had to raise $2,300 each.

Jeeping for Jugs raised the majority of their funds at “Jeeping for a Cure,” an event they hold annually at Rocks and Valleys Offroad Park in Harrison, with the park charging a registration fee to get into the park and donating part of the proceeds to the team.

“We had over 300 Jeeps— it’s a community,” said Roberts. “Our Jeep family enables us to do this. My whole thing is you have to give something back, I don’t want to just ask for donations. By hosting an event, they get something in return.”

Besides the fun of offroading, donors can also know they were behind enabling the Jeeping for Jugs team to make a difficult trek.

The first day is the most challenging, said Heather, as they walked more than 20 miles, arriving back at camp tired, hungry and dirty. She and her family had trained by doing long walks in the months leading up to the 3-Day, but not more than 10 miles, and the heat and humidity was grueling. They were thankful for all the support along the route.

Laura, who was only old enough to participate this year, used to be one of the people on the sidelines cheer

ing for the walkers. She was excited to be walking with her family this year and after a second day of walking more than 20 miles, enjoyed a dance party back at camp.

“You need to loosen up the muscles,” said Heather. “Once you get moving, you’re OK.”

By the time they were walking the final miles on Sunday, they had made new friends, connected with old friends and heard stories that inspired them to keep walking even though their feet hurt.

“It’s a life-changing experience,” said Heather. “It makes you appreciate what you have and gives you a better understanding of what other people are going through. Everybody has to be passionate about something. We are passionate about Jeeping and ending breast cancer.”

They will be back at it again next year. To support the team in the 2017 walk, go to www.the3day.org and enter ‘Jeeping for Jugs.’