By Lisa Wilcox
Staff Writer
CARIBOU — On May 15 the hiking trails that surround Cary Medical Center’s campus were filled with walkers who got out of the office for a bit to take a stroll and help support homeless veterans.
Aroostook Republican Photo/Lisa Wilcox
Wendell Hudson, far left, sang “The Star Spangled Banner” to begin the VA2K Walk and Roll event held on the hiking trails at Cary Medical Center on May 15 as part of National Employee Fitness Day. Standing next to Hudson and saluting the flag as he sings is Don Carson, the Caribou VA Clinic social and homelessness worker, and a group of walkers, including Cary CEO Kris Doody, third from left in the group.
Cary joined forces with the Caribou VA Clinic to host this year’s VA2K Walk and Roll event. Held each year on National Employee Fitness Day, VA2K is designated to help employees recognize the importance of exercise and nutrition and help them live healthier lives. It also allows the Department of Veteran Affairs to raise awareness and support for the plight of homeless veterans.
According to Don Carson, the Caribou VA Clinic social and homelessness worker, a point-in-time survey conducted in January of 2012 revealed that of 1,050 homeless citizens in Maine, 125 of them were veterans, 40 percent of which were from the Vietnam War era. This statistic does not include the many homeless veterans who refuse to go to shelters.
Walkers not only raised money for the VA, but also donated personal and household items to be distributed to the needy veterans.
“Food cards, gas cards, coupon books are very helpful for our homeless vets,” Carson said. “They can get them warm and washed up and get them a meal.”
This is the second year for VA2K. Carson advised that the 2012 event was hugely successful, with Maine community partners and staff raising approximately $20,000 in new items and cash, more than any other VA Service Network in the nation.
Carson extended his gratitude to the organizations that helped with the event, including the American Legion, Veterans Services Organizations, the Homeless Veterans Networking Group and the Caribou Rotary, among many others.
VA2K walks were also held in Togus and the Bangor, Portland, Lewiston and Saco outpatient clinics.
