Editor's Note: The following announcement is from Active Heroes.

Correction: This announcement originally stated that Matt Kerner, rather than his brother, was a military veteran. We regret the error.

Matt Kerner, the brother of a military veteran, is hiking 4,400 miles – from San Francisco to Washington, D.C. He began hiking June 3, and plans on hiking 30 miles a day in a grassroots attempt to raise awareness and money for struggling military families across the country.

Kerner plans to complete the hike by the end of 2012. He was inspired in part by his brother, Justin Kerner, who joined the military shortly after high school and served multiple combat tours in Iraq with the Marines. Kerner said, “My brother, like many soldiers, had difficulty brushing off the stress of war when he returned home.” His brother eventually overcame it, but many others continue to struggle after coming home.

Kerner will raise funds throughout his hike, through Active Heroes, a volunteer-led 501(c)(3) charity that helps military families by providing financial assistance and job placement.

Troy Yocum, the founder of Active Heroes, knows what it’s like to hike more than 20 miles a day. He did it for 18 months as he hiked across the United States – more than 7,000 miles – in 2010 and 2011. Yocum is excited for Matt’s journey to begin. On his own Hike for Heroes in 2010 and 2011, Troy met thousands of people and generated a Facebook following of over 150,000 people.

Kerner will begin his hike on Monday, June 4. He leaves from San Francisco and will be available for interviews throughout the hike across America. His goal is to raise $30,000, and anyone can help by joining his fundraising team. Visit activeheroes.org/kerner for more information.

Follow Matt’s progress on his Facebook page 10 Million People Who Support our Troops. 

About Active Heroes

Active Heroes is a volunteer-led 501(c)(3) charity that aims to strengthen military families and assist veterans and active duty members of the military by providing financial assistance and job placement. Active Heroes manages the dissemination of donations directly. Applicants are required to submit proof of military service and proof of need, and a case worker reviews each applicant’s situation individually. Active Heroes does not provide cash to individuals; bills are paid directly based on determination by the case worker. Active Heroes uses StayClassy fundraising software to process online donations. Active Heroes Tax ID# 45-413-8378.