Health, wellness focus of annual event
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
