The Vickie's Angel Foundation (VAF) will hold a Vickie's Angel Walk on Saturday, Oct. 8, at the Friendship YMCA, formerly the Friendship Center, located at 5000 Commons Drive, Harrisburg. Registration will begin at 8 a.m. The program will start at 8:45 a.m., and the walk will step off at 9:30 a.m., rain or shine. There will be food, music and giveaway drawings.

For the past 19 years, the Angel Walk, which is VAF's major fundraising event, has been held at Borough Park in New Cumberland. This year, VAF is expanding to include a satellite location in Dauphin County, which is the largest county the organization serves. The two walks will be held simultaneously.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Vickie's Angel Foundation (VAF), which was founded by Mickey Minnich in honor of his wife, Vickie, whom he lost to cancer in 2002. Based in New Cumberland, VAF focuses on providing financial assistance for local families fighting cancer. VAF directly pays mortgages, rents, utilities and more to help ease the financial burden and allow the recipient to concentrate more on his or her treatment and healing. The main goal is to help keep families in their home with food on the table during a difficult time. All men, women and children with any form of cancer are eligible for support. VAF serves nine counties in central Pennsylvania and has raised more than $4 million dollars for families in need. All donations are tax-deductible to this 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Among those who have received help from VAF is Becky Firestone of Palmyra. After being diagnosed with breast cancer in April, Firestone had to take an unpaid leave of absence from her job and found herself in financial need. At a friend's suggestion, Firestone contacted VAF and was soon approved for short-term financial support. This aid has helped Firestone, 54, focus on her treatment, which has included a lumpectomy and chemotherapy and will also include radiation. The prognosis is good, and Firestone has been able to return to her job at the Lebanon VA Medical Center part-time.

To learn more about VAF, contact Mickey at 717-774-3800 or visit http://www.vickiesangelfoundation.org.