Thirteen members of the American Legion Riders (ALR) of Ernest A. Love Post 6 recently showed us what matters with their actions and deeds - they embarked on A Ride That Matters.
Raising over $14,000 and riding their motorcycles and trikes over 2,500 miles in the western United States, the ALR team made a huge impact on hundreds of people's lives. Veterans and their families, children and burn victims were assisted in this effort.
The ALR members of Post 6 embarked on their eight-day journey on May 31, 2025, and rode from Arizona to Nevada, California, Oregon, Idaho and Utah. They stopped at multiple locations and met with the four nonprofit organizations below with the donations they collected. Each of these organizations received $3,000 donations from the American Legion Riders:
• Camp Courage: Arizona Burn Foundation
o Arizona Burn Foundation’s mission is to improve the quality of life for burn survivors and their families. The camp is a week in Prescott, Ariz., for burn survivors 6-19 to build courage as they connect with other survivors.
• Central Oregon Veterans Ranch
o Central Oregon Veterans Ranch has touched the lives of veterans and their families through therapeutic, vocational and agri-therapy programs on our 19-acre working ranch.
• Project Healing Waters
o Therapeutic outdoor recreation, using the sport of fly fishing as an intervention. They help active military service personnel and veterans.
• Yavapai Big Brothers and Sisters
o Mentoring: Yavapai Big Brothers Big Sisters makes meaningful, monitored matches between adult volunteers ("Bigs") and youth ("Littles") 6-24.
In addition to visiting the nonprofits, the ALR team stopped at over 10 American Legion posts along the route of A Ride that Matters. Post 6 Commander Sam McPherson gave praise and recognition for the outstanding hospitality to five Legion posts who went above and beyond to support and welcome the tired and weary riders with open arms, big smiles and warm spirits during their weeklong ride:
• Post 40 in Henderson, Nev.
• Post 8 in Klamath Falls, Ore.
• Post 18 in Nampa, Idaho
• Post 112 in Salt Lake City, Utah
• Post 69 in Kanab, Utah
A Ride That Matters was not just a success; it was an accomplishment that shows the strong impact we can have on each other’s lives. This act of goodwill exemplified two of the four pillars of The American Legion – Rehabilitation & Youth.