10 Miles a Day for Mental Health: Jake Prusha Named Bergen County Veteran of the Month
photo courtesy of Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Hillsdale NJ, Bergen County officials have officially named lifelong Hillsdale resident and U.S. Coast Guard veteran Jake Prusha as the newest Veteran of the Month.
Recognized during a recent Bergen County Commissioner Public Meeting by County Executive Jim Tedesco and Commissioner Steve Tanelli, Prusha is being celebrated not just for his military service, but for his extraordinary, high-endurance fundraising efforts tackling veteran mental health awareness.
Here is the inspiring story of a local hero who continues to push physical limits to serve those who served.
A Lifelong Commitment to Public Service
Service runs deep in Jake Prusha’s roots. Inspired by his great-uncle—who served as a Chief Medical Aid in the U.S. Army—Prusha dedicated himself to first responder roles early on. Before even entering the military, he served his local North Jersey community as a:
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9-1-1 Dispatcher
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Volunteer Firefighter
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Volunteer EMT
Prusha later took his medical and emergency skills to the national stage by joining the U.S. Coast Guard. Stationed in Boston as a Health Service Technician, he served aboard a mobile medical unit, deploying critical healthcare to remote military installations and active disaster zones. He was honorably discharged in August 2025.
Pushing Physical Limits for Veteran Mental Health
After returning to civilian life, Prusha noticed the profound impact that mental health struggles have on active service members and veterans. Driven to make a tangible difference, he turned to extreme fitness challenges to raise both awareness and crucial funding.
The 100-Day Murph Challenge (2025)
In 2025, Prusha completed the grueling “Murph” workout (a 1-mile run, 100 pull-ups, 200 push-ups, 300 air squats, and another 1-mile run, often done in a weighted vest) for 100 consecutive days. His immense physical discipline successfully raised $20,000 for the Wounded Warrior Project.
The 50-Day Running Streak (2026)
Refusing to slow down, Prusha launched an even more ambitious campaign this year. He committed to running 10 miles a day for 50 consecutive days. Along the route, he dedicated each day to sharing powerful mental health survival stories representing all 50 states. This initiative raised over $26,000 specifically targeted toward military and veteran mental health programming.
Bergen County Honors a Hometown Hero
Bergen County leadership highlighted Prusha as an exemplary model of what it means to give back to the community.
“We’re honored to recognize Jake for his dedication and service, and thank him for his commitment to uplifting his fellow servicemembers.” — Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco
The Veteran of the Month initiative, heavily supported by County Commissioner Steve Tanelli, continues to ensure that North Jersey’s military personnel receive the local recognition and appreciation they deserve.
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Tags: Bergen County News, Hillsdale NJ, Veteran Spotlight, Mental Health Awareness, Wounded Warrior Project, U.S. Coast Guard, Community Heroes
