Local group calling bikers to ride and raise money for homeless veterans in Minnesota
[anvplayer video=”5125735″ station=”998122″]
At this very moment nearly 300 veterans are out on the street and considered homeless in Minnesota.
Across the country, that number is more than 40-thousand, according to the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans.
Sunday, one local group is doing what they can to fight those statistics.
The organizer, a veteran himself, and the groups’ supporters named the weekend event “22-2 No More,” a ride calling bikers from around the community to rev up their engine, kick up their stands and get out on the road for a cause.
“Somebody has to do it. I’m a former Marine. It’s near and dear to my heart,” Grant Lanka told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS.
The first ever event recorded more than 500 registered riders who plan on riding from St. Paul Harley Davidson to the Nauti Hawg Bar and Grille. Once there, Lanka says many high-prices prizes will be raffled off including a jersey donated by the Minnesota Wild.
22-2 No More has a goal of raising at least ten-thousand dollars, with all the proceeds going to Minnesota’s Assistance Council for Veterans (MAC-V).
“These men and women have put up, they promised to protect this country, they promised to protect our freedom and they don’t have places to live. You hit that place where there is just nothing left.” Lanka said.
Riders tell us they hope the event grows each year, battling homelessness for vets not only at home but around the country.
If you’d like to donate, click here.