M&H Appliance was the starting point for the benefit ride for the Wounded Warrior Project. Organizers of the inaugural event included, from left: Scott Moy, Landen Valiant, Kurt Bushinger, Kevin Valiant and Abdul Salim (not pictured).
M&H employees organize Memorial Day ride for vets
By Andy Kriege, YSN
The good folks at M&H Appliance chose the occasion of Memorial Day to help raise money and awareness of America’s veterans by organizing a motorcycle ride on their behalf, with the proceeds going to the Wounded Warrior Project.
BrandSource member Brian Ashworth, owner of the St. Cloud, Minn.-based business, said the idea was hatched by two of his delivery drivers: the father/son tandem of Kevin and Landen Valiant. “The Wounded Warrior Project is very dear to my heart,” said Kevin. “Those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom deserve our support.”
The pair put the word out to friends and family via social media of their desire to raise funds for the cause. And although the charity trek was a spur-of-the-moment decision, they were able to assemble a handful of riders who enjoyed taking part in the 115-mile ride, which circumnavigated local Mille Lacs Lake.
“We had a beautiful day for a ride, which was fortunate because you never know what you will get this time of year,” Ashworth said.
Ashworth said he is proud of the effort father and son invested to make the fundraiser happen. And although he was unable to participate due to a prior commitment, he said the event will provide the impetus for what he hopes will become an annual tradition. “This year’s ride was sort of a trial balloon,” Ashworth said. “We hope to gin up a lot more interest next year through the business and help the event grow by putting up a tent at the store and providing food and entertainment.”
All funds raised by the motorcycle ride will be matched by M&H, and Ashworth is confident it will add up to several hundred dollars.
About Wounded Warriors:
The mission statement of the Wounded Warriors Project, as cited on its website, is “to honor and empower wounded warriors.” The initiative was founded in 2003 as a small, grassroots effort to bring simple care and comfort items to the hospital bedsides of the first wounded service members returning home from the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. The charity has since grown to support the post-military needs of millions of veterans and their families with benefits including mental health services, career counseling, long-term rehabilitative care and VA advocacy.
BrandSource, a unit of YSN publisher AVB Inc., is a nationwide buying group for independent appliance, furniture, mattress and CE dealers.
