VA 5K Sunday to raise money to build a Lexington Fisher House

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) – The annual Veterans VA 5K this Sunday will raise money for the Lexington VA Health Care System and for a planned Fisher House on the VA’s Leestown Road campus.

A Fisher House is a home away from home for Veterans’ families while their loved one is being treated at either VA facility in Lexington.

Veterans’ families can stay in the Fisher House for free.  It will be built just inside the main entrance on the left on the Leestown Road campus.

Fisher House’s are only built on VA property or active military bases.  Once the $7 million house is built, with its 16 private suites and open kitchen, living room and dining room, it will be gifted to the VA, which will then own and operate the house.

If you’d like more information about the Lexington Fisher House project or to make a tax-deductible donation, click here.

You can also mail a contribution to:

Friends of Lexington Fisher House

P.O. Box 54481

Lexington, KY  40555

The 3rd Annual Veterans VA 5K is being presented by the Fayette County Division of Community Corrections, Columbia Gas of Kentucky and its NIVETS employee resource group.

The 5K course weaves through the picturesque grounds on the VA’s Leestown Road campus at 2250 Leestown Road in Lexington.

The race is Sunday, November 4, 2018, beginning at Noon.  You can register for the race online up until November 2, by clicking here.

You can also register at Columbia Gas of Kentucky at 2001 Mercer Road in Lexington during regular business hours.

You can also register in-person on-site the day of the event from 10:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.  The cost is $35 for adults and $20 for children under the age of 18.

All proceeds go to the Lexington VA Health Care System and the Lexington Fisher House.

There will be door prize drawings and awards for overall and age group top finishers.

John’s Run/Walk Shop will map the course and provide race timing.

A Blackhawk helicopter will land on the grounds prior to the race.  There will be military vehicles on display, live music and food available for purchase from the VA Canteen.

Rolling Thunder Kentucky will be at the event along with the official starter, U.S. Marine Corporal Matthew Bradford, a Lexington Fisher House Board member.

Corporal Bradford lost both legs and his eyesight in January 2007 after stepping on an improvised explosive device (IED) while on foot patrol in Iraq.  After grueling rehabilitation, at which time his family stayed in a Fisher House, Corporal Bradford became the first blinded amputee in Marine Corps history to re-enlist.  He is a true American Hero and an inspiration to all who meet him and those who hear his courageous story.