Walkers turn out to support homeless veterans in South Mississippi ...

JOHN FITZHUGH/SUN HERALDEmployees and patients participate in the VA2K walk at the Department of Veterans Affairs Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System in Biloxi on Wednesday.

JOHN FITZHUGH ? SUN HERALDBuy Photo

BILOXI -- More than 50 veterans and employees of the Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System in Biloxi turned out Wednesday morning to walk, and in some cases roll, around the hospital grounds for the third annual VA2K.

With twice as many participants as last year, organizers raised more than $200 through entry fees and donations. The money will go to the hospital's Volunteer Services group for clothing, meals and bus pass vouchers for homeless veterans.

A nationwide event, the VA2K saw more than 22,000 people at 171 veterans facilities participate in 2012, raising $240,000 collectively.

This event raises awareness with VA employees, said Mary Kay Gominger, chief public affairs officer for the Biloxi VA.

"You get tied up in your day-to-day stuff but there are people out there even now -- while we're working hard to help that -- are still homeless," she said.

But Gominger said the VA staff, particularly Volunteer Services, has set a goal to have no homeless veterans on the northern Gulf Coast by 2015.

"Events like this just help keep that goal to the forefront," she said. "You watch the donations come in and know that you're helping individuals that need help."

Wednesday was also National Employee Health and Fitness Day, so VA staff members, such as human resources assistant Willie McGee, were encouraged to walk.

"Being a veteran myself, it makes me feel good to know that I'm helping another veteran," said McGee, who spent 24 years in the U.S. Air Force. "That's what it's all about. That's what I get up and come to work every day for."

There are 345 homeless veterans from Biloxi to Pensacola being helped through a Housing and Urban Development voucher system that provides rental assistance, and 150 more veterans are in transitional housing, Gulf Coast VA's homeless coordinator Eric Olsen said.

HUD vouchers are at a standstill now, but Olsen said he's hoping to get more soon and they will be handed out to those on the waiting list as soon as they become available.

In the meantime, all donations Volunteer Services receives are handed out to as many displaced vets as possible. In addition to bus passes, bug spray, flashlights and batteries, kitchen items, newly packaged undergarments, shoes, non-perishable food and toiletries are needed.

"Donations are ongoing," Olsen said. "Any time we can get support for that, it's essential."

To donate items to homeless veterans, call Volunteer Services at 871-5763.

Source: http://www.sunherald.com/2013/05/15/4669094/walkers-turn-out-to-support-homeless.html

star trek abercrombie and fitch Rolando McClain angelina jolie abercrombie abercrombie Eminem Stabbed