Annual VA2K Walk & Roll keeping Veterans and employees healthy

On May 16, the 2018 VA2K Walk & Roll event will be held at many VA locations across the country.

The VA2K focuses on promoting active lifestyles and provides VA employees, Veterans and community members the opportunity to enjoy a short two-kilometer (approximately 1.2 miles) walk.

“A two kilometer walk takes about 20 minutes and can easily be completed during a lunch break,” said Sandra Schmunk, program manager for the VHA Employee Health & Well-Being program.

With VA employees dressed in super hero costumes (pictured above), Veterans at the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center in Augusta, Ga., participate in the 2017 VA2K Walk & Roll event.

It’s not just about exercise.  The event also focuses on helping homeless Veterans.  Participants are encouraged to bring donations of items such as pre-packaged food, bottled water or toiletries all of which will be donated to homeless Veterans in local areas.  Donations are encouraged, but are not required to participate.

Since 2011 the annual VA2K event has generated donated goods valued at more than $2 million – all to help homeless Veterans.

In 2017, the VA2K Walk & Roll event was a big success with more than 23,000 VA employees, Veterans and community members joined in the event, and donated goods that had an estimated value of more than $289,000 for homeless Veterans.

Learn more about the eighth annual VA2K Walk & Roll: http://www.publichealth.va.gov/va2k/

About the author: The Office of Patient Care Services has critical responsibilities for promoting health and preventing disease among Veterans. By developing evidence-based public health policy, conducting operations research, and performing educational outreach, we continue to support America’s Veterans and the VA workforce.