Moving in May for VA2K

Help yourself and others May 15 by joining the 14th Annual VA2K Walk & Roll. This annual event is held to inspire VA employees to incorporate healthy activity into their workday while supporting VA homelessness programs. The walk is designed to be covered in about 20 minutes or during a lunch break.

The event, which is also open to Veterans and community members, will be held at VA medical centers nationwide and includes the option to donate food and clothing items for Veterans who are homeless. More than 26,000 VA employees participated in 2023 at 140 locations and raised upwards of $250,000 worth of donated items for Veterans experiencing homelessness.

"Walking is a great way to improve your health and manage stress," says Dr. Kavitha Reddy, associate director of Employee Whole Health. "We hope that VA2K participants use the event as a way to incorporate self-care into their workday and continue to do so on an ongoing basis."

Last year, many VA facilities included festivities besides the walk. Lebanon VA in Pennsylvania participants were able to "Walk the Whole Health Circle," stopping at tables along the way to learn about Whole Health offerings. Music and yoga on the lawn added to the fun. Some facilities, like those of Tennessee Valley VA, hosted virtual classes in tai chi, stretching and belly dancing.

Pictured above, Sheila Roberson, employee with Cardiology Service at Tennessee Valley VA, enjoyed sun and fun at last year's VA2K event along with fellow VA staff members at 19 different campuses across the system.

Some VA facilities held fundraisers and helped Veterans in other ways. Besides hosting a health fair and the walk itself, VA employees at Overton Brooks VA in Shreveport, Louisiana, went beyond the call for donations and painted the home of a Veteran in the community. In addition, the team hung baskets of petunias, trimmed trees and bushes and power washed his carport.

Support Veterans and your own well-being by contacting your local VA medical center or outpatient clinic to see how you can participate this year. Activities and dates may vary per location.