COLUMBIA, S.C. — Veterans still gathered to collect donations for the Veterans Affairs hospital on Sunday despite the rain.
It's a simple goal for Tim McDonough and the Combat Vets Motorcycle Association: provide gifts to some of the country's most under-appreciated and often forgotten people. His organization took part in the annual Vets' Ride in Columbia.
"You're talking about veterans who probably would not get a Christmas if it were not for this ride," he said
According to co-founder Gene Royer, the event serves as a place for people to donate money and gifts to veterans, centering around a large motorcycle ride to the VA.
"I've seen guys with no legs. There's a lot of guys over there, a lot of them have PTSD, there's a lot of them over there. War does bad things to people, and we want to make sure those guys that keep us free, we keep them happy," he said.
All afternoon, cars would roll through, and people would drop off bags full of toiletries, clothing, and other gifts for both male and female vets. Some afternoon rain meant a halt to the ride; however, a determined group still made it out.
"It tells you the love of this; it tells you the love of it. A lot of bikers are veterans, and that's how this all came out." Royer said. "We didn't get as many today as we wanted, but I think we're going to pull it off."
The gifts will be brought to the Dorn VA Hospital, and money will be given to veteran organizations. McDonough said he's seen the way these simple gifts have changed lives.
"I think there's a lot of veterans in the VA that don't have family anymore, and we are their family; we care about all of our veterans," he said.
Royer said they've extended the drop-off until the end of this week.
"Go to VetsRide.org, and you can just push the little button, and you can donate $5, $10, $15, whatever you want. Or you can drop off a present at All American Heating and Air [3220 Leaphart Rd.], Carolina Honda [901 Buckner Rd.], or Harley Haven [941 Western Ln.]," he said.
The combat vets will host a similar drive and ride in the spring on April 6.
