Ride for Homeless Vets fundraiser set to return to Alle-Kiski Valley

A June motorcycle trip by more than 1,200 riders will travel through the Alle-Kiski Valley and beyond to benefit homeless veterans.

The 15th annual Ride for Homeless Vets is back after a two-year covid-related absence.

“I started this little ride just wanting to get 100 people involved,” said Tom Grates, a Tarentum native who served in the Army. “Now you almost can’t get one more motorcycle to fit in the lot when we start.”

The fundraiser is scheduled for June 12, with riders taking off at 11 a.m. from the Harrison VFW.

Riders will travel to the Ford City VFW and on to the Rimersburg VFW for lunch before visiting the Sarver Vets Club on the way back to Harrison.

In 2019, the event brought in just more than $52,000.

Since its inception, the total has topped $350,000.

Proceeds benefit Shepherd’s Heart Fellowship and Veteran’s Home in Pittsburgh’s Uptown section.

The facility houses up to 15 formerly homeless veterans at a time, for up to nine months, helping them overcome obstacles that keep them from living independently, said Nancy Lee Cochran, director of development.

“Some might have addictions or could be suffering from PTSD or illness that doesn’t allow them to live independently or hold a job,” Cochran said. “We give them lots of love and encouragement, counseling, shelter and food while we work on overcoming those obstacles.”

Cochran said the ride is a great opportunity for people to make a difference and “Leave No Veteran Behind.”

Since 2006, Shepherd’s Heart has recorded a 90% success rate, having helped 600 veterans get back to independent living, she said.

Grates, 54, said he first started the fundraiser out of the Tarentum VFW, where his dad was commander.

“I couldn’t believe there was such a thing as the Homeless Vets Fund,” said Grates, a Highlands graduate. “So I decided to do something about it.

“It’s actually not as much about the money as it is the awareness.”

The event started with 105 riders and outgrew the starting point along East Fourth Avenue in Tarentum.

In 2019, more than 1,200 people participated. The number probably was more if Grates had counted the number of people who lingered at the after-party in the VFW parking lot.

The riders usually return about 4 p.m. and enjoy a concert by The Shiners, raffles and a Chinese auction.

There are door prizes and a commander’s choice bike trophy. The party goes until about 7 p.m.

“We have a huge committee that spends all year planning,” Grates said.

This year, overflow traffic will be directed to the lower parking lot at the nearby YMCA.

“The best part of this is that 100% of the money goes to the care and rehab of vets,” Grates said. “We make sure that nothing goes to staffing or salaries. It all goes to the vets.”

For more information, visit rideforhomelessvets.com.