BRATTLEBORO — The Brattleboro Retreat will host the fifth Annual Ride for Heroes event starting at 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 16, with registration beginning at 10 a.m. The motorcycle ride starts on the Brattleboro Retreat campus and ends with a barbeque lunch, also on the Retreat campus.
This is the fifth annual Ride for Heroes aimed at supporting the Retreat's Uniformed Service Program (USP).
USP offers specialized trauma and addiction treatment for people who are, or have been, active military, law enforcement, fire fighters, veterans, EMS, and corrections personnel. According to the USP data, professionals in uniform are more likely to have witnessed or experienced life-threatening events and human tragedy that can lead to serious stress disorders and other duty-related problems with alcohol and drug addiction, anxiety, and depression.
To mark the Ride for Heroes' fifth year, event organizers created an opportunity for participants to raise additional funds for the Uniformed Service Program.
Participants are asked to become “Ride Champions” by raising $100 or more from family and friends to support the cause. In return, Ride Champions receive complimentary registration, prizes, and giveaways, and the satisfaction of giving back to those who serve in uniform.
For those interested in fundraising as a Ride Champion, more information can be found at www.brattlebororetreat.org/rideforheroes. To date, Ride Champions have helped raise more than $5,000 for the event.
Standard registration is $25 per person and includes both the ride and barbeque lunch. The escorted ride will commence at 11 a.m. and will take bikers on a route through southern Vermont's scenic hills and valleys, by rivers and historic villages. The first 200 riders to register will receive a free t-shirt.
The afternoon will include music and vendors as well as raffles and prizes with many items donated by local businesses. This is an alcohol and smoke free event, and will be held rain or shine. While participants must be 18 years of age or older to ride, all adult riders and types of motorcycles are welcome.