Donations for Homeless Veterans Collected at VA Walk and Roll
By Scott Leas, Public Affairs Officer
VA Northern Indiana Health Care System celebrates the 15th Annual VA2K Walk and Roll held at various locations on May 21. The event promotes a active lifestyle and raises support for homeless Veterans.
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (May 21, 2025) -- Veterans and employees of the VA Northern Indiana Health Care System rallied today at the 15th Annual VA2K Walk and Roll to encourage people to live active lifestyles and allows participants to support homeless Veterans through voluntary donations of various items.
VA medical centers around the nation participated in free, VA2K events which included a short two-kilometer walk (1.24 miles). The event is open to Veterans, families, and employees with the goal of promoting physical activity and benefitting homeless Veterans through in-kind donations.
“We are seeking donations to will help Homeless Veterans in the greater Northern Indiana area, not just Fort Wayne,” said VANICS Executive Director Jon Beidelschies. “We are collecting donations at all the VA2K locations today, to include the Fort Wayne and Marion VA Medical Centers as well as our clinics in Peru, Muncie and Mishawka.”
VA2K Walk and Roll was held locally at Fort Wayne and Marion VA Medical Centers and VA clinics in Peru, Muncie and Mishawka, where donations were collected.
A wide variety of donations were accepted to help those homeless Veterans and make the community aware of their needs.
“It’s great not only to see our employees and Veterans donating these much-needed item, but also how the larger community in the area has responded,” said VANIHCS Chief of Social Work Amy Sczerbowicz. “While we are very appreciative of the generosity of so many, the need to support these homeless Veterans is great. There is a continued need for supplies and resources that are reliant on community donations.”
Suggested donations include, but are not limited to:
Kitchen items
Laundry Detergent (pods are best)
Dryer sheets
Brooms
Mops
Cleaning supplies
Dish soap
Toilet Paper
Shavers
Feminine products
Sheets
Pillowcases
Bus passes
Towels
Paper towels
Silverware-2 sets
Plates
Cups
Deodorant
Hand soap
Shampoo and conditioner
Body wash
Polydent
Gas cards
First aid ki
Anyone wishing to make donations or seeking more information about the Homeless Veteran Program may contact Floyd King at (260) 426-5431 - Ext 62287.