West Texas VA Hosts 15th Annual VA2K Walk & Roll to Support Homeless Veterans and Promote Community Wellness
By West Texas VA Health Care System Public Affairs
West Texas VA Health Care System (WTVAHCS) demonstrated its ongoing commitment to Veteran welfare and community engagement with its celebrated 15th annual VA2K Walk & Roll event this week.
Held at the George H. O’Brien, Jr. VA Medical Center, the event drew Veterans, VA staff, and community members united by a shared goal: to promote health, wellness, and support for local Veterans experiencing homelessness.
A Day of Movement and Compassion
The VA2K Walk & Roll is more than just a walk; it’s a nationwide initiative established in 2011 by the Department of Veterans Affairs that combines physical activity with outreach efforts to end Veteran homelessness. Over the years, the event has grown into a well-recognized tradition within the VA community, emphasizing fitness, community involvement, and service. This year’s event marked an important milestone—the 15th annual VA2K—highlighting its sustained impact and importance in fostering veteran support across the country.
This year’s event took place on typical West Texas warm and sunny Wednesday morning, with participants setting out on a two-kilometer route designed to be accessible for everyone, regardless of ability. Whether walking, rolling in wheelchairs, or strolling with family members, participants crafted an atmosphere of camaraderie and purpose on the lush grounds of the Big Spring campus.
A Day of Community
“Today’s event reminds us that wellness is about much more than just physical health,” emphasized Deputy Associate Director Patient Care Services Kelli Settles, Associate Director of WTVAHCS. Settles was among the many leaders and Veterans who led the walk, echoing the event’s core principles of community, support, and service. “It’s about building a community that cares and taking concrete steps—literally—to help those who need it most.”
Throughout the event, WTVAHCS staff from Whole Health and the Center for Development and Civic Engagement collected donations of hygiene items, new clothing, and more, in support of local homeless Veteran programs. At its origin, the VA2K was developed as a homeless Veterans outreach effort. The events have grown to encompass healthy living outreach and community engagement, all to help battle Veteran homelessness.
A Collective Effort
The event saw an impressive turnout—doctors, nurses, administrative staff, Veterans, and community partners walking together side by side—showcasing the collaborative spirit that defines the VA’s approach to Veteran care. WTVAHCS Employee Whole Health Coordinator Belinda Araneta, expressed her pride in participating. “It’s inspiring to see so many people come together for this cause. Every step we take today is a step toward ending Veteran homelessness,” she said.
Veterans attending the event shared their perspectives on the importance of community support. Mike Tarpley, a Vietnam War Veteran, participated with his wife, Barbara, and grandson, Talon. “This is about more than just a walk,” Tarpley remarked. “It’s about making sure our brothers and sisters who are on the streets know they’re not forgotten, and that there’s help available.”
The event also featured booths representing various Veteran programs, health initiatives, and social services, allowing attendees to explore resources that can aid in their well-being and independence.
Building off Previous Success
Building on the success of the 2024’s VA2K event, the George H. O’Brien Jr. VA Medical Center, integrated a Veterans Health Resource Fair along with this year’s 2K, aimed at connecting Veterans and their families with critical healthcare services and community support initiatives.
The Resource Fair featured topics like Whole Health programs, Healthy Living Team initiatives, and digital tools such as MyHealthyVet. Additionally, the Abilene Vet Center joined the event with their mobile Vet Center, affectionately known as ‘BOB’. This integrated approach aims to empower Veterans with knowledge and access to services that promote independence and well-being.
WTVAHCS proudly serves Veterans in 33 counties across 55,000 square miles of rural geography in West Texas and Eastern New Mexico. The George H. O’Brien, Jr. VA Medical Center is located in Big Spring, Texas and serves as the headquarters for the Wilson & Young Medal of Honor VA Outpatient Clinic in Midland/Odessa, Texas, and four other community outpatient clinics located in Abilene, TX, San Angelo, TX, Hobbs, NM, and Fort Stockton, More than 56,000 Veterans reside within the WTVAHCS catchment area, of which approximately 17,000 receive care at WTVAHCS.