Veterans, their families, employees, volunteers and community members participated in Butler VA’s 11th annual Summer Health and Wellness Event.
VA Butler Healthcare hosted the event on Friday, August 23rd from 10am to 2pm on the lawn outside the Abby Abraham VA Clinic.
The day featured fitness and yoga demonstrations, drum circles, a farmers market and educational activities led by VA staff focused on promoting healthy lifestyles and disease prevention.
The event was free, but attendees were encouraged to bring items for veterans in need, including body wash, shampoo, shaving cream, razors and cleaning supplies.
— Photo: Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Michael McClafferty works on arm exercises with personal trainer Yvonne Patterson during the 11th Annual Summer Health and Wellness Event at the Abbey Abraham VA Healthcare Center on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/23/24
Rob McGraw
Tomatoes are a popular item at Brenkle's Farm and Greenhouse's booth during the 11th annual Summer Health and Wellness Event at the Abby Abraham VA Healthcare Center on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/23/24
Rob McGraw
Savannah Seibert and her father, Josh, learn how to properly put out a fire with the help of the VA Fire Department during the 11th annual Summer Health and Wellness Event at the Abby Abraham VA Healthcare Center on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/23/24
Rob McGraw
Cheryl Schafer carefully selects each vegetable she purchases at the Brenkle's Farm & Greenhouse booth during the 11th annual Summer Health and Wellness Event at the Abbey Abraham VA Healthcare Center on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/23/24
Rob McGraw
Savannah Seibert picks out her favorite watermelon at the Brenkles Farm & Greenhouse booth during the 11th annual Summer Health and Wellness Event at the Abby Abraham VA Healthcare Center on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/23/24
Rob McGraw
Sarge, a service dog for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), waits quietly while his owner, Ricardo Martin, speaks with various people during the 11th Annual Summer Health and Wellness Event at the Abbey Abraham VA Healthcare Center on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/23/24
Rob McGraw
Richard Ash receives his blood pressure reading from personal trainer Yvonne Patterson, a personal trainer at the local YMCA supported by the VA, during the 11th Annual Summer Health and Wellness Event at the Abbey Abraham VA Medical Center on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/23/24
Rob McGraw
Sarge, a service dog for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), waits quietly while his owner, Ricardo Martin, speaks with various people during the 11th Annual Summer Health and Wellness Event at the Abbey Abraham VA Healthcare Center on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/23/24
Rob McGraw
Savannah Seibert, right, and her father, Josh, pet Sarge while visiting the 11th Annual Summer Health and Wellness Event at the Abbey Abraham VA Healthcare Center on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/23/24
Rob McGraw
Michael McLaughter (center) works out with personal trainers Yvonne Patterson (right) and Karen Dunn (left) during the 11th Annual Summer Health and Wellness Event at the Abbey Abraham VA Healthcare Center on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/23/24
Rob McGraw
Bauer Smith helps carry boxes of produce to Cheryl Schafer's car during the 11th annual Summer Health and Wellness Event at the Abbey Abraham VA Healthcare Center on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/23/24
Rob McGraw
Brenkle's Farm & Greenhouse's booth is one of the most popular at the 11th Annual Summer Health & Wellness Event, held at the Abby Abraham VA Healthcare Center on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/23/24
Rob McGraw
Marine Corps veteran Frank Rothman waits for the bus with his PTSD service dog, Bria, after visiting the 11th annual Summer Health and Wellness Event at the Abbey Abraham VA Healthcare Center, Friday, Aug. 23, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/23/24
Rob McGraw
Savannah Seibert and her father, Josh, learn how to properly put out a fire with the help of the VA Fire Department during the 11th annual Summer Health and Wellness Event at the Abby Abraham VA Healthcare Center on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/23/24
Rob McGraw
Fran Suess Jr. picks out a small basket of cherry tomatoes at the Brenkles Farm & Greenhouse booth during the 11th annual Summer Health and Wellness Event at the Abby Abraham VA Healthcare Center on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/23/24
Rob McGraw
Bauer Smith helps carry boxes of produce to Cheryl Schafer's car during the 11th annual Summer Health and Wellness Event at the Abbey Abraham VA Healthcare Center on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/23/24
Rob McGraw
Colorful painted rocks with positive messages help hold down paperwork at a VA information booth during the 11th annual Summer Health and Wellness Event at the Abby Abraham VA Healthcare Center on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/23/24
Rob McGraw