THE OSCAR G. JOHNSON VA Medical Center in Iron Mountain will have its VA2K event Wednesday. From left, VA employees and VA2K committee members Katie Maxon and Jeana Klingelhutz are shown with business representatives Patter Kelly from CCI Systems, Nikki Bowers from Systems Control, LeAna Lindquist from Coleman Engineering, Rachael Butler from Verso and Kellie Sexton from Lake Shore Systems Inc. (Submitted photo)

IRON MOUNTAIN — Five local businesses will join the Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center in support of VA2K, a walk to promote veteran and employee wellness and create awareness about homeless veterans.

Coordinators at each business have invited employees to walk a 2k at their facility Wednesday, the same day as the national VA2K event.

The walk is free and donations are not required to participate, but coordinators encourage employees to contribute gift cards for food, gas and telephone minutes for the Homeless Veteran Program at the VA Medical Center.

VA2K is a national event, with 2k walks taking place at local VAs throughout the country.

The VA2K at the Iron Mountain VA medical center will be 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday. Joining in the event that day will be CCI Systems, Systems Control, Coleman Engineering and Verso.

Lake Shore Systems Inc. plans to walk as a group at 9 a.m. with fourth-grade students from Woodland Elementary School in Kingsford.

Kingsford and Iron Mountain middle schools will participate as well.

The free walk is open to the public, and community members are encouraged to come walk with veterans and staff and learn more about wellness and the challenges facing local homeless veterans.

Those wishing to help homeless veterans can donate gift cards for gas stations, groceries or department stores.

For more information on the VA2K walk or to donate to help homeless veterans, contact the VA Voluntary Service Office at 906-774-3300, ext. 32780.