The Mid Shore Recovering Veterans Group (MSRVG) raised $26,450 from its inaugural bicycling fundraising event, titled SOAR For Veterans this spring. The nonprofit group, a fund of the Mid-Shore Community Foundation, provides unfunded needs to local veterans in the five counties of the Mid-Shore. The group serves individual needs of veterans in any way they can. This includes providing wheelchairs, handicap ramps and the like, including services as simple as providing toiletries and other small incidentals. The group often provides food, gas, transportation and other services for local veterans in dire need. As a small nonprofit, MSRVG is able to be fast-moving and nimble in meeting local veterans’ needs.
Pictured L-R: Cyclists Amy Haines, Susan Sarubin, Sandi Whitehurst, and Wendy Palmer.
The event, initiated by a committee of local volunteers identified by Dock Street Foundation and with dozens of local sponsors, offered three bike rides in Talbot County (25, 50 or 62.5 miles). Coinciding with the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall’s presence at the VFW Post 5118 in Easton, all riders had the opportunity to stop and visit The Wall to pay their respects.
Royce Ball, co-founder of the Mid-Shore Recovering Veterans Group, was extremely grateful for the effort made by so many “professional” participants, all of whom enjoyed a wonderful ride and visit to the Vietnam Traveling Wall. Monies raised will be divided among the recently initiated Workforce Scholarship Program for Veterans and the organization’s regular scholarship program for high school graduates of Veteran families. The MSRVG General Fund will receive monies as well.
“I wish I could have thanked them all personally”, said Ball, and he added that he was especially thankful to Dock Street Foundation for the idea to even attempt this wonderful event.
Supported by local businesses and individual contributors, the event was extraordinarily successful and will become an annual fundraising event. Cyclists, sponsors and supporters should mark their calendars for Saturday, June 1, 2019, for the second annual SOAR for Veterans bicycling fundraising event.
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