A small group of people set out from the parking lot of the Saco Community Based Outpatient Clinic, part of the VA Maine Healthcare system. The group was participating in the annual VA2K Walk and Roll, which included a short walk as well as live music, food and information booths at the parking lot of the outpatient clinic at 655 Main St.
Shelley Moore-Littlefield, nurse practitioner with the Saco clinic, kicked off a brief ceremony by welcoming those in attendance. She said the event was held to encourage health and wellness and support veterans. She invited all those in attendance to help themselves to some free food or to pick up some information on the VA health care system for themselves or a friend or family member.
The VA2K Walk and Roll is observed nationally, with annual events held across the country, and coincides with National Employee Health and Fitness Day.
The ceremony included a special announcement from state Sen. Justin Chenette, D-Saco, president of Saco Bay Center for Civic Engagement who is also a digital advertising executive with the Journal Tribune. Chenette announced the Support Our Heroes Fund, a new program from the center created to provide free adult education classes to homeless veterans to help them gain and/or improve career skills. So far, $1,500 has been raised for the program.
“One veteran homeless is one veteran too many,” said Chenette. “We must do everything we can to get these heroes back on their feet with the support and resources they deserve.”
Those interested in taking a free course can contact Dave Durkee, program director at Old Orchard Beach/Saco Adult and Community Education at 934-7922. To donate to the fund, visit sacobaycenter.org/support-our-heroes.html.
— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.
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