Legion charity ride raises $555,000 for scholarships
August 25, 2016
Legion charity ride raises $555,000 for scholarships
Seven-state, 1,300-mile Legacy Run brings in more than a half of a million dollars to fund scholarships for children of fallen military personnel, disabled veterans.
More than 200 American Legion Riders and their passengers rode into Harrison, Ohio, Thursday afternoon, bringing with them $555,312 raised to help children of fallen servicemembers and disabled veterans attend college. Throughout the 11th annual Legacy Run, hundreds more American Legion Riders joined for portions of the journey.
“I think if (the Legion’s) founding fathers were here right now, they would be so proud that their vision of providing for veterans and their family members, widows and children – this is exactly what our founding fathers envisioned in 1919,” said American Legion National Commander Dale Barnett, who rode part of the Legacy Run and followed along the rest of the way. “I think that’s what makes it great. People understand that they’re riding for a higher purpose.”
The 11th annual Legacy Run, sponsored by USAA, took the Riders from Indiana through Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia before ending up outside of Cincinnati, the site of the 2016 American Legion National Convention.
Along the five-day ride, Legion Riders solicited donations for The American Legion Legacy Scholarship Fund, which provides college money for the children of U.S. military personnel killed on active duty on or after Sept. 11, 2001, as well as the children of post-9/11 veterans rated 50-percent disabled or higher.
In 11 years, the Legacy Run has raised more than $6 million for the scholarship program.
Along the route, the Legion Riders also made stops at veterans cemeteries and memorials to lay wreaths. Legion posts opened their doors to provide meals and present donations to the ride.
More donations to the Legacy Fund will be made during the Legion’s national convention on Aug. 30.
