The Family Outreach Coalition and Veterans Thrift Store is hosting its first Veterans 2k Walkathon October 17 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at UT Arlington's Maverick Stadium. The organization's goal is to raise $50,000 through the event.

Randolph and Mieke Brown opened the thrift store in Pantego in 2013 after a lack of funding resulted in the closure of their Arlington-based Community Support Center. Their hope was that the thrift store would provide the money needed to continue to support the community's veterans, low income families, and cancer patients, but it simply hasn't been enough.

According to Randolph Brown, the Veterans 2k Walkathon is their last ditch effort to keep their dream of helping others in the area alive. Brown himself is a veteran who struggled for a long time, he said

Registration is open through October 10, and the cost is $40 per person or $130 for four people.

The event will be held at UT Arlington Maverick Stadium off W. Mitchell Street. To become a partner, sponsor, advertiser, vendor or volunteer or to buy tickets, call (817) 459-2720 or visit http://veterans5kwalkathon.org/.