Motorcycle ride will fund service dogs for veterans

Staff report

MANTUA, OHIO

The third annual Compassion in Motion Motorcycle Charity Ride will take place Aug. 1 at Carlton Harley-Davidson, 11771 state Route 44. All proceeds will go to Wags 4 Warriors, which provides service dogs for veterans.

Registration for the ride will begin at 9:30 a.m., and kick stands go up at 11:30. Donations are $25 for riders and $10 for each passenger, and lunch after the ride is included.

The day will feature a grand prize raffle of a 65-inch curved HD television (provided all tickets, $10 each, are sold), a 50-50 raffle, a DJ and prizes. Visitors also will get to meet veterans and their service dogs. For information call Karen DeLuca at 330-940-2129 or email her at kdeluca@neo.rr.com. In case of rain, the ride will take place Aug. 2.

Sponsoring the ride is Hands & Paws in Gratitude, a service organization that raises money for a variety of projects that involve individuals and animals.

Wags 4 Warriors’ mission is to provide dogs to veterans who return home from war with post-traumatic stress disorder or a traumatic brain injury. It provides all the training, equipment and support for the dog to become the veteran’s service dog at no cost to the veteran.

Sponsors and donors to date are Dave Walter BMW, The Westerman Group, LLC, Target, Lowe’s, Suncrest Gardens, Wal-Mart, Pet Supplies Plus, Hartville Hardware, Big Dee’s Tack & Vet Supply, Krieger’s Health Foods Market and VFW Post 2629.

Sponsorship opportunities follow:

Life Saver: Dog Sponsor, $3,500, which supports all the needs of the dog

CSM: Command Sergeant Major, $1,500, supports all medical needs, spaying/neutering and shots

SMG: Sergeant Major, $1,000, supports dog vest and equipment

1st Sergeant: $750, supports dog crate, leash, collar and treats

Sergeant: $500, supports adoption fees from shelters

Private: $250, supports food and shelter

Other sponsorships, full or partial, are available as follows: Raffle Grand Prize, $2,200 Samsung 65-inch Curved 4K Ultra HD Smart TV and Charity Riders Lunch, $500. Gift certificates, raffle prizes and other donations are needed.

All sponsors will be recognized with signage at the ride, on printed materials, W4W website, Hands & Paws website, media correspondence and other activities where the event will be promoted.

Wags 4 Warriors is a nonprofit organization based in Brecksville, Ohio. It was started to help servicemen and servicewomen who have been negatively affected by their combat experience.

It works with local rescue organizations to match the veteran with an appropriate dog and pay all the training costs and support for the dog to become a service dog.

Dogs can be trained for a variety of tasks to help the veteran in daily life. Veterans who are deemed Service Connected for PTSD, TBI or other disabilities may be eligible for the program.