American Legion Riders

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What Really Matters?

How can we make a positive difference in other people’s lives? 

Thirteen members of the American Legion Riders (ALR) of Ernest A. Love Post 6 recently showed us what matters with their actions and deeds.  They embarked on A Ride That Matters.

Raising over $14,000 and riding their motorcycles and trikes over 2,500 miles in the western United States- the ALR team made a huge impact on hundreds of people’s live. Veterans and their families, children and burn victims were assisted in this effort. 

The ALR members of Post 6 embarked on their eight-day journey on May 31, 2025 and rode from Arizona to Nevada, California, Oregon, Idaho, and Utah. they stopped at multiple locations and met with the four non-profit organizations listed below to distribute the donations they collected. 

Members of Post 6 American Legion Riders as they depart Chino Valley, AZ on 5/31/25

Each of these organizations received $3,000 donations from the American Legion Riders:

  • Camp Courage:  Arizona Burn Foundation.
    • Arizona Burn Foundation’s mission is to improve the quality of life for burn survivors and their families in Arizona, while promoting burn prevention advocacy and education. The camp is a week in Prescott, AZ for burn survivors age 6-19 to build courage as they connect with other survivors through horseback riding, swimming, arts and crafts, high ropes, rappelling.
    • https://azburn.org/camps
  • Central Oregon Veterans Ranch
    • Over the past nine years, the Central Oregon Veterans Ranch has touched the lives of veterans and their families through therapeutic, vocational, and agri-therapy programs on our 19-acre working ranch.
    • Supporting at-risk veterans with weekly movement and mindfulness sessions including yoga, tai chi, and gentle aerobics. 
    • https://www.covranch.org/
  • Project Healing Waters
    • A leading nonprofit in therapeutic outdoor recreation, using the sport of fly fishing as an intervention. They help active military service personnel and Veterans in need through a dedicated, developed curriculum of fly fishing.
    • https://projecthealingwaters.org/about-us/
  • Yavapai Big Brothers and Sisters
    • Mentoring: Yavapai Big Brothers Big Sisters makes meaningful, monitored matches between adult volunteers (“Bigs”) and youth (“Littles”), ages 6 through 24. 
    • Provides families life-sustaining resources like food, shelter, and medical care.
    • https://azbigs.org/what-we-do/
ALR Members present donation check to Camp Courage in Prescott, AZ

In addition to visiting the non-profits, the ALR team stopped at over 10 American Legion Posts along the route of A Ride that Matters. At the June 2025 General Meeting of Legion Post 6 in Prescott, Commander Sam McPherson gave praise and recognition for the outstanding hospitality to five Legion posts who went above and beyond to support and welcome the tired and weary riders.  

Here are the American Legion Posts who welcomed the Post 6 ALR with open arms, big smiles, and warm spirits during their week-long ride.

  • Post 40 in Henderson, NV
  • Post 8 in Klamath Falls, OR
  • Post 18 in Nampa, ID
  • Post 112 in Salt Lake City, UT
  • Post 69 in Kanab, UT

A Ride That Matters was not just a success; it was an accomplishment that shows the strong impact we can have on each other’s lives. This act of goodwill exemplified two of the four pillars of the American Legion – Rehabilitation of Veterans and Youth and Children. The outpouring of love and support resonated deeply with everyone involved, making the world kinder and more compassionate through these efforts.

Thank you to everyone who participated in, supported and donated to this incredible event.

The children, veterans, and families that were helped by this ride showed their appreciation with their smiles and laughter— and that is ALL that really matters.

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American Legion Riders visit and donate to BASIS school in Prescott, AZ

A group of fifteen American Legion Riders (ALR) from the Ernest A. Love Legion Post 6 rode their bikes to the front of BASIS Charter school-Prescott on the brisk but sunny morning of Tuesday October 29, 2024. 

First grade students eagerly lined up in front of the school entrance and were greeted first by the roar of the motorcycle engines and then by the smiles of riders who are a dedicated, volunteer group of U.S. military veterans, members of the American Legion Auxiliary and Sons of the American Legion.

Photo by Steve Smull

The ALR’s mission was to present the school with requested school supplies and gift cards valued at $450. This was the first time the group has visited BASIS Prescott.

This event was a coordinated effort between ALR Director, Sandra Tavares and Dean of Upper School- BASIS Prescott, Robin Aitken, who is also a member of the ALR and President of American Legion Auxiliary Unit 40.

Sandra Tavares and ALR member present gifts at BASIS School. Photo by Steve Smull

Community outreach between veterans and their families with students and teachers is key to building stronger social connections and support in the local area. 

The American Legion has a proud tradition of supporting our nation’s youth. The organization was founded on the principle in 1919, when Children and Youth was declared one of the Legion’s four pillars.  In the years since, a number of youth-oriented programs have been developed including Temporary Financial Assistance, Family Support Network and child safety and well being programs. 

Prescott area Legion posts and family chapters provide ongoing support to students with sponsorships and activities such as: Boys State, Girls State, Oratorical contests, and flag events. 

For more information, check out these websites: 

https://www.legion.org/

https://www.legion.org/advocacy/youth-support/about-youth-support

Ernest A. Love Legion Post 6:

https://www.americanlegionazprescott.org

BASIS school teachers and staff with ALR members. Photo by Steve Smull