ALBANY, N.Y. -- Community members helped raise money for a local veterans organization Saturday morning while experiencing one small part of being a service member.

The third annual Walk a Mile in Their Boots benefits the Veterans Miracle Center in Albany.

Participants put on eight pound boots to see how it feels to walk around in just one piece of a service member's uniform.

After the one mile walk, veterans led the participants in some exercises to show how difficult it is to move around in the boots.

The Veterans Miracle Center opened three years ago. The organization helps veterans and active duty service members get the basic supplies and household items they need for free, including furniture.

"Every time we do an event, we discover more vets who are in need," said Melody Burns, the Director of Operations for the Veterans Miracle Center.

Since opening, the organization has helped more than 5,800 veterans and active duty service members.

"There’s a lot of vets out there that just need a little bit of help and we can make that happen," said Burns.

"You come here with no money in your pocket and you’re treated with dignity, you’re treated with respect, and they also understand the circumstances of not having what you need when you really need it," said Nancy Pantophlet, a Navy Veteran who is currently a student at The College of Saint Rose.

AT&T has sponsored the event for three years.

For those who would like to donate to the center, visit this website.