Tag Archives: Veteran's Charity Ride

Indian Motorcycle® Sponsors 8th Annual Veterans Therapy Program with VCR

The Veterans Charity Ride (VCR) has just acquired its usual trusty sponsor for 2022 – and Indian Motorcycle® is more than happy to be a part of the non-profit’s 8th Annual Therapy Program for vets.

The program will purportedly involve 10-12 amputees, paraplegics and victims of PTSD – all veterans from our good country – that will be matched up for one-on-one treatment that includes mentors and fellow vets that have previously completed VCR’s program. 

Vets using Indian bikes to rehabilitate thanks to the Veterans Charity Ride. Photo courtesy of HotBike.
Vets using Indian bikes to rehabilitate thanks to the Veterans Charity Ride. Photo courtesy of HotBike.

It’s a brilliant opportunity for our military men and women to use the Indin bikes provided and use the trips, memories made and thrills to ‘rehabilitate and support veterans returning from combat,’ supporting their ‘transition back to civilian life.’

Indian motorcycle riders taking advantage of the gorgeous day and the Veterans' Charity Ride Therapy Program to rehabilitate. Photo courtesy of Motorcycle.com
Indian motorcycle riders taking advantage of the gorgeous day and the Veterans’ Charity Ride Therapy Program to rehabilitate. Photo courtesy of Motorcycle.com

“We are proud to say we have touched the lives of more than 150 veterans,” says Dave Frey, the Veterans Charity Ride Founder

“With a growing number of returning veterans still in need of VCR programming, we’re excited to expand and host three multi-day motorcycle therapy events.”

A female motorcyclist with her feet up, enjoying the view. Photo courtesy of Coffee or Die Magazine
A female motorcyclist with her feet up, enjoying the view. Photo courtesy of Coffee or Die Magazine

“It’s been a true honor to support such a life-changing program such as the Veterans Charity Ride,” agrees Aaron Jax, Vice President for Indian Motorcycle®. 

“VCR’s growth is a testament to Dave and Sue Frey, as they’ve made it their mission to positively impact the lives of the brave men and women who have sacrificed so much for our country.”

A motorcycle rider with a sidecar in the rehabilitation efforts for American vets. Photo courtesy of Coffee or Die Magazine.
A motorcycle rider with a sidecar in the rehabilitation efforts for American vets. Photo courtesy of Coffee or Die Magazine.

The dates of the VCR Therapy Program will be in the following locations: 

June 10-19: Moab, UT / Durango, CO

Energica's new electric adventure tourer motorcycle, the Experia. Photo Courtesy of .

August 20-30: Moab, UT

October 10-18: Park City, UT (start) / Moab, UT (end)

An Indian rider with apropos apparel. Photo courtesy of Indian's Twitter.
An Indian rider with apropos apparel. Photo courtesy of Indian’s Twitter.

Be sure to share the dates and locations of this brilliant program with other fellow riders; support of our vets is so incredibly important to our country, and it’s heart-warming to see Indian Motorcycle® stepping in (as per their usual). 

Drop a comment below letting us know what you think, and as ever – stay safe on the twisties. 

*Media sourced from Hot Bike Magazine, the Coffee or Die Magazine, Indian’s Twitter, and Motorcycle.com*

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Riding For Warriors Raises Over $100,000

Riding For Warriors Raises Over $100,000
Riding For Warriors 7th annual tour riders. From left: Michael Nehlsen, Jim Kessler, James McQueen, Jim McQueen, Sr., Tom Stein, and Joey Mac Dizon.

The seventh annual Riding For Warriors event recently completed its six-day motorcycle ride to commemorate the 20th anniversary of 9/11, raising over $100,000 for Hope For The Warriors and its Warrior’s Wish program. Air Force veteran Michael Nehlsen led six of his fellow riders from his home state of New Jersey on a 900-mile journey ending in New York, visiting 9/11 memorials and related locations to remember and honor the victims of the attacks.

Hope For The Warriors is a 15-year-old nonprofit serving the warrior community — active-duty, veterans, military families, caregivers, and families of the fallen. Through one of its first established programs, Warrior’s Wish, Hope For The Warriors fulfills a desire for a better quality of life and works to provide rewarding experiences for those who have sacrificed their physical and psychological health in the line of duty.

Riding For Warriors Raises Over $100,000
Front row behind flag: Jim Kessler, Matt Smith, Michael Nehlsen, James McQueen. Second row: Jim McQueen, Sr., Debbie Kessler, Rebecca Nehlsen, Frank Prigmore. Back row: Tom Stein, Anna Hillmann, Joey Mac Dizon

“Being the 20th Anniversary of 9/11 and being able to support our veteran community with Hope For The Warriors through the Warriors Wish program has been an honor and a privilege over the past seven years,” said Nehlsen. “The team of riders and support staff that accompanied me this year made the importance and impact of the journey from the NYC Ground Zero Memorial to the Flight 93 Memorial and finally to the Pentagon memorial a lifetime memory of brotherhood and sisterhood. We also met a lot of wonderful people along the way that have made a lifetime impact on me and I am sure all the others on the ride. 2021 solidified the very reason I started this journey seven years ago and will continue in the future. God Bless America and all our brothers and sisters who have served our great nation’s military past and present.”   

This was the seventh year Nehlsen has led the tour and given his time to the charity, traveling over 30,000 miles on his motorcycle and raising over $253,000 for Warrior’s Wish, providing wounded veterans with woodworking and farm equipment, family trips, a horse trailer, a bass boat, bicycles and more.

“Every day we are reminded why Hope For The Warriors was born from the tragedies that took place on 9/11.” said Robin Kelleher, co-founder and president of Hope For The Warriors “The need to care for military families has not waned in the 20 years since the 9/11 attacks and it is with deep appreciation of Michael, Hillmann Consulting and the many supporters for sharing HOPE’s mission along the ride and raising critical funds to support our clients that need assistance”

Riding For Warriors Raises Over $100,000
The 9/11 Memorial and Museum in New York City.

About Hope For The Warriors: Founded in 2006, Hope For The Warriors is a national nonprofit dedicated to restoring a sense of self, family, and hope for post-9/11 veterans, service members, and military families. Since its inception, Hope For The Warriors has served over 36,000 through a variety of support programs focused on clinical health and wellness, sports and recreation, and transition. One of the nonprofit’s first programs, Military Spouse and Caregiver Scholarships, has awarded over 170 scholarships to caregivers and families of the fallen.

For more information and to make a donation to Hope For The Warriors or its Warriors Wish program, visit: hopeforthewarriors.org

      

The post Riding For Warriors Raises Over $100,000 first appeared on Rider Magazine.
Source: RiderMagazine.com

Indian Motorcycle and Veteran’s Charity Ride Mark 7th Annual Motorcycle Therapy Adventure to Sturgis

Indian Motorcycle and Veteran’s Charity Ride to Sturgis
Returning Combat Veterans Use “Motorcycle Therapy” to Rehabilitate with Help from Veteran Non-Profit Organization.

Indian Motorcycle has announced its continued support and sponsorship of the seventh annual Veterans Charity Ride (VCR) to Sturgis. The two have partnered with the initiative of “America Get Out & Ride” while using motorcycle therapy to support combat veterans’ transition to civilian life.  

Many of the veterans joining the Veterans Charity Ride for the first time are amputees, paraplegics, or suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress and other issues veterans face after leaving the military. Each new veteran will pair with mentors who have already been through the Veterans Charity Ride program and receive one-on-one support to help their transition back to civilian life. The 2021 ride will include 16 total veterans – eight new, along with eight returning veterans who will serve as mentors. 

“Veterans Charity Ride was designed to assist combat veterans who face challenges in their daily living and provide them with a support structure that will get them back outside and living life to the fullest,” said Dave Frey, Veterans Charity Ride Founder. “Many of our veterans used to ride motorcycles before their injuries and thought they never would ride again. Through support from companies like Indian Motorcycle and Champion Sidecar, we are able to get these vets back on bikes and enjoy the freedom of the open road.” 

Indian Motorcycle and Veteran’s Charity Ride to Sturgis

This year’s ride to Sturgis will start on July 28 in Moab, Utah where the group will take the trek through some of the nation’s most scenic backgrounds roads in the western United States. The group will stop and visit local communities along the route, such as Fort Collins, Colorado, where the group will be receiving an official proclamation and welcoming by the mayor before arriving at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in South Dakota on August 6. Participants will be riding an assortment of Indian Motorcycle models, outfitted with Rekluse auto clutch systems and custom-built Champion Sidecars for amputee and paraplegic veterans.  

The 14-day adventure allows participating veterans the opportunity to push towards conquering their post-war challenges while out on the open road. Throughout the trip, veterans will also conduct team-building exercises allowing riders to share their service experience during the emotional and mind-detoxing motorcycle ride.   

“We’re honored to support our U.S. veterans and contribute to such noble cause like the Veteran’s Charity Ride,” said Aaron Jax, Vice President for Indian Motorcycle. “Riding can be one of the most therapeutic experiences, as we have seen first-hand the dramatic evolution and incredible growth from vets that have completed the VCR program.”  

The Veterans Charity Ride to Sturgis was created by veteran Army Paratrooper Dave Frey and leverages the therapeutic effects of motorcycle riding to create an adventure of a lifetime for wounded and amputee combat veterans adjusting to post-war life. 

To support the Veterans Charity Ride, donate, or to learn more visit IndianMotorcycle.com and VeteransCharityRide.org. Riders can also follow along on Indian Motorcycle’s social media channels: FacebookTwitter and Instagram, and Veterans Charity Ride’s social media channels: FacebookTwitter and Instagram

Veterans Charity Ride (VCR), started by veterans for veterans, is a non-profit organization that delivers Motorcycle Therapy and additional life changing, life-saving holistic programs specifically designed to assist wounded and amputee combat veterans with their needs and the issues they deal with on a daily basis. Helping our fellow veterans through outreach, action, activities, education and follow-up is what drives our organization. The end result of our program is a healthier and happier, more capable individual, who is now living life in a much better physical and mental condition, and able to help and support other veterans to do the same. Visit www.veteranscharityride.org to learn more and support this worthy cause. 

The post Indian Motorcycle and Veteran’s Charity Ride Mark 7th Annual Motorcycle Therapy Adventure to Sturgis first appeared on Rider Magazine.
Source: RiderMagazine.com