Politicians jog the extra mile for vets

Kris Hill

Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2000 | 10:45 a.m.

Local politicians hit the gym Monday to help the Council of Nevada Veterans Organizations raise money for a new handicapped-use elevator.

The elevator, to be installed at the Lowden Veterans Center, will give disabled veterans access to areas of the center where they can take job training classes and use physical therapy facilities.

The Sporting House hosted politicians, as well as athletes, who spent time working out to raise money for the elevator and awareness for veterans' issues.

Participants in the fund-raiser climbed on stair-steppers, ran on treadmills, huffed and puffed through aerobics classes and lifted weights.

Democratic Senate candidate Ed Bernstein, who jogged on the treadmill, said he got involved to help bring attention to the event, which began Sunday.

Jack Close, a Republican running for state Assembly District 15, jogged on a treadmill next to Bernstein. The candidate, a physical therapist, plans to get involved in the development of the veterans center's physical therapy program, as well.

"By being here, I hope that I got more people involved," Close said.

Close and Bernstein are friends of Ed Gobel, president of the organization that is running the event. Gobel, a disabled Vietnam veteran and Republican candidate for Assembly District 1, said the money raised will help improve the quality of life for local veterans.

The veterans center also houses a museum, helps dying veterans and their families and aids sick and homeless veterans, as well as providing other services.

Gobel, president of the council of veterans organizations, would also like to see more money raised to expand the services the center already offers.

Veterans make up about 19 percent of the city's population, he said.

UNLV students were to work out today and others will test their athletic endurance on Wednesday.