Health, wellness focus of annual event

August 24, 2024 Last Updated: August 23, 2024 09:27 PM Local News

Veterans, their family members, employees, volunteers and the community came out to the 11th annual Summer Health and Wellness Event at the Butler VA.

VA Butler Healthcare hosted the event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 23, on the outside lawn of the Abie Abraham VA Clinic.

The day included fitness and yoga demonstrations, a drum circle, a farmers market and educational activities from VA staff centered on promoting healthy lifestyles and preventing disease.

This event was free, but participants were encouraged to bring items such as body wash, shampoo, shaving cream, razors and cleaning supplies for veterans in need.

— Photography by Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Michael McLafferty works on arm exercises with personal trainer Evonne Patterson during the 11th Annual Summer Health and Wellness Event at the Abie Abraham VA Health Care Center on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/23/24

Rob McGraw

Tomatoes are a popular item at The Brenckle’s Farm and Greenhouse booth during the 11th Annual Summer Health and Wellness Event at the Abie Abraham VA Health Care Center on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/23/24

Rob McGraw

Savannah Seybert and her dad Josh learn how to put out a fire the correct way with the help of the VA Fire Department during the 11th Annual Summer Health and Wellness Event at the Abie Abraham VA Health Care Center on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/23/24

Rob McGraw

Cheryl Schaefer carefully picks out every vegetable she buys at The Brenckle’s Farm and Greenhouse booth during the 11th Annual Summer Health and Wellness Event at the Abie Abraham VA Health Care Center on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/23/24

Rob McGraw

Savannah Seybert picks out her favorite watermelon to buy at the Brenckle’s Farm and Greenhouse booth during the 11th Annual Summer Health and Wellness Event at the Abie Abraham VA Health Care Center on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/23/24

Rob McGraw

Sarge, a post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) service dog, calmly waits as his owner Ricardo Martin talks to various people during the 11th Annual Summer Health and Wellness Event at the Abie Abraham VA Health Care Center on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/23/24

Rob McGraw

Richard Ashe gets his blood pressure results from personal trainer by Evonne Patterson, a personal trainer at the local YMCA who helps at the VA, at the Abie Abraham VA Health Care Center during the 11th Annual Summer Health and Wellness Event at the Abie Abraham VA Health Care Center on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/23/24

Rob McGraw

Savannah Seybert, right, and her dad Josh pet Sarge as they visit the 11th Annual Summer Health and Wellness Event at the Abie Abraham VA Health Care Center on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/23/24

Rob McGraw

Michael McLafferty, middle, works out with personal trainer Evonne Patterson, right, and Karen Dunn, left, during the 11th Annual Summer Health and Wellness Event at the Abie Abraham VA Health Care Center on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/23/24

Rob McGraw

Bauer Smith helps take a box of produce to Cheryl Schaefer’s car during the 11th Annual Summer Health and Wellness Event at the Abie Abraham VA Health Care Center on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/23/24

Rob McGraw

The Brenckle’s Farm and Greenhouse booth is one of the more popular stops during the 11th Annual Summer Health and Wellness Event at the Abie Abraham VA Health Care Center on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/23/24

Rob McGraw

Frank Rossman, a Marine Corps vet, waits for the bus with his PTSD service dog Bria after visiting the 11th Annual Summer Health and Wellness Event at the Abie Abraham VA Health Care Center on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/23/24

Rob McGraw

Fran Soose JR picks out a small basket of cherry tomatoes at the Brenckle’s Farm and Greenhouse booth during the 11th Annual Summer Health and Wellness Event at the Abie Abraham VA Health Care Center on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/23/24

Rob McGraw

Colored, painted rocks with positive messages help keep papers down at the VA information booth during the 11th Annual Summer Health and Wellness Event at the Abie Abraham VA Health Care Center on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/23/24

Rob McGraw