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A group of veterans will walk from Erie to Pittsburgh over Columbus Day weekend to raise money for the American Diabetes Association.

The Veteran’s March for Diabetes will begin on Route 19 at the Presque Isle Snowmobile sign at 7:30 a.m. on Friday.

Participating veterans will walk to Meadville on Friday. On Saturday, they will reach just past Mercer.

They will finish their trek at the McKnight Post Office in Pittsburgh at 4 p.m. on Sunday, accompanied by the VFW Color Guard Post # 2754 West View.

The group is headed by Vietnam veteran Bob Mandera, whose daughter was diagnosed with diabetes type I at five years old. Mandera has participated in the Veteran’s March for Diabetes for 25 years.

“My dream was to someday raise $1 million for diabetes research, and with the help of the VFW Posts across Pennsylvania, almost $2 million has been raised,” said Mandera, in a news release. “Twenty-five percent of our veteran population has diabetes, so our march for a cure goes on.”

To contribute to the walk, call Bob Mandera at (412) 837-1918 or contact Danielle Vetter, at the American Diabetes Association, at (412) 824-1181 ext. 4609 or via email at dvetter@diabetes.org.

Want thank the men and women who gave the ultimate service to our country? The Erie VA Medical Center is looking for volunteers.

Volunteers are needed for a variety of roles, from working in the cafeteria to assisting veterans in using hospital technology.

Here are some options:

-Transport patients throughout the medical center.  Volunteers are needed Monday through Friday between 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

-Wash dishes, clean tables, and stock the dining room.

-Assist veterans navigate through the My HealtheVet website and educate them on what is offered on the website.  Volunteers will be trained by the My HealtheVet contact person at the Erie VA Medical Center.  Flexible days are available, and the hours needed are during the workday (8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.).

-Transport patients and residents from to the Chapel located on the 2nd floor on Saturdays at 6:45 p.m. to attend Catholic Mass beginning at 7:00 p.m.

-Move files and perform clerical duties for the Radiology staff. Volunteers are needed Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and must be able to push a minimum of 50 pounds at least 200 yards at a time. Related safety training will be provided by Radiology staff.

-Keep an eye on restless or high fall risk patients. Volunteers are needed Monday through Friday between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. in all areas of the inpatient setting.  Training will be provided.

-Assist patients with the GetWellNetwork televisions so that they can watch TV, movies and educational videos as well as gain access to the internet. Volunteers are needed Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. until noon in Oncology (Red Team) on the first floor.  Volunteers will be trained by Mike Baker, IPC Manager, located on the 2nd floor at the Erie VA Medical Center. He can be reached at 814-449-3669.

To get involved, contact the Voluntary Service Office at 814-860-2453 or 814-860-2454.

Image courtesy of the Erie VA Medical Center

The Financial Planning Association of Pittsburgh seeks nominations for the First Class Patriot Achievement Award. The award honors the dedication of a western Pennsylvania veteran to community service.

Nominees and honored service men and women will be featured at the Saluting Service event in Pittsburgh on May 22.

Vietnam War veteran Lt. Col. Barry Bridger will speak at the event, sharing his story of 70 combat mission and six years of imprisonment.

Nominations form can be found here.

All nominations must be postmarked by April 13 or submitted via e-mail by midnight on April 15.

The awards event is open to the public with prior registration. Register for the event here.