With large donations down from last year, U.S. VETS hopes that people will show up to donate or participate in its Annual 5k Patriot Walk/Run on November 14th to raise funds for homeless veterans.

"During the holidays, our veterans need us the most and we want to be there for them," said Darryl Vincent, U.S. VETS National Programs Director. "We hope to raise money to continue to provide hot meals, a safe home and job training for former soldiers that have plummeted to homelessness. They have served their country with honor and the least we could do is raise funds to make this holiday season special for them."

Residents will come together to honor veterans and active military during the U.S. VETS Patriot 5k Walk/Run which will take place at 8 a.m. with pre-race ceremonies beginning at 7:45 a.m. The race which will follow along the beach and along the lagoon at the Waterfront at Puuloa (formerly known as Iroquois Point Island Club) and will raise funds for U.S. VETS-HAWAII, the only program in the state that houses homeless veterans. Participants in the race are encouraged to walk or run in honor of a loved one who is a veteran or currently serving in the armed forces.

U.S. VETS, located at Kalaeloa, is already servicing soldiers that have returned from Iraq and Afghanistan. It also provides affordable housing for elderly veterans from the Korean and Vietnam War eras. The event will continue its theme "No Veteran Left Behind." Participants are encouraged to wear red, white and blue, bring their flags and to walk/run in honor of a veteran or a loved one in the military.

REGISTRATION: Entry fee is $25. $20 for military. Any entries postmarked after June 6 will be $30. Late entries will be accepted until race morning.

COURSE: 5K (3.1 miles) run. Flat fast run around the Iroquois Point Island Club community. Safe, closed to traffic. Finish line at the beach!

AWARDS AND PRIZES: Prizes will be awarded to 1st, 2nd and 3rd overall male and female. 1st, 2nd and 3rd to age group categories 14 and under, 15-19, 20-29,

30-39, 40-49, 50-59 and 60 and over.

For online sign-up, packet pick-up info and updates on the Walk/Run,or to make an online donation log onto: www.usvetsinc.org or www.active.com. Residents can also send a donation to U.S. Vets, P.O. Box 75329, Kapolei, HI 96707. To learn more about donation and volunteer opportunities, or for more information about U.S. VETS – Hawaii, call (808) 682-0111.

U.S. VETS – Hawaii first opened its doors in Hawaii in 2002 on the de-commissioned Barbers Point Naval Base now called Kalaeloa. U.S. VETS is the nation's leader in providing services to homeless veterans. It was the first to bring a VA mental health clinic onto a site; to offer a Father's Program that reintegrates fathers with their alienated children; and to open programs for women veterans who are suffering from PTSD and sexual trauma. It has 12 sites across the country.