Members of the group Working Bees strike a pose during Wednesday's VA2K Walk and Roll at the Abie Abraham VA Health Care Center.

CENTER TWP — VA Butler Healthcare employees and veterans gathered Wednesday to participate in the eighth annual VA2K Walk and Roll to support homeless veterans and promote health and exercise at several locations within the medical system.

The national event is dedicated to supporting homeless veterans while also encouraging healthy activity for employees, said Karen Dunn, Butler event coordinator and health promotion and disease prevention program manager.

The event included a two kilometer walk at the Abie Abraham VA Health Care Center, as well as the New Castle Road campus and the system's five community clinics in Armstrong, Clarion, Lawrence and Mercer counties and Cranberry Township.

Since 2011, Dunn said 1,679 walkers have participated in the annual event, which included 501 veterans, with 2,082 miles walked.

Last year, more than 23,000 VA employees, veterans and community members from around the nation participated, donating goods worth more than $291,300 to help homeless veterans, according to the event's website.

Participants were encouraged to take voluntary donations that will be distributed to local homeless veterans, including small toiletries, ponchos, backpacks, clothing items and food.

Between 2013 and 2017, Dunn said items worth $13,265 were donated in the Butler system.

Nationally, since 2011 donations valued at about $2 million have been raised for homeless veterans, according to a press release.

“The goal is to have no homeless veterans,” Dunn said. “We are still working on that.”

Alan Petrazzi, interim director, who started his tenure with the Butler system on Monday, said the event is very important to help homeless veterans, and thanked everyone who turned out.

“I think you are clearly seeing the importance of the community coming together,” he said. “We are very passionate about helping our homeless veterans.”The event also coincides with National Employee Health and Fitness Day. VA's employee wellness program, called VA WIN (Wellness is Now), inspires VA staff and veterans to live healthier lifestyles and reduce preventable injuries and illnesses, according to a news release.Dunn said employees getting outside the building and participating in the activity helps promote health and wellness from within the organization.In 2017, Dunn said 145 employees participated, with the highest amount in 2013 at 182 employees.“We have a lot of employee and community support,” she said.Petrazzi said he was “amazed” at the turnout for the event.“This is a beautiful facility with wonderful people and amazing veterans,” he said. “I make it a mission every day to go down to the front desk and interact with the veterans and get to know them. It keeps me focused on the mission and allows people to see the amazing things we are doing.”

Alexis Glasgow, at right, enjoys a laugh with Carla Russell as she's pushed by Roger Seybert with Working Bees during Wednesday's event.