WHAT WE DO
Veterans Charity Ride (VCR) is a non-profit organization that delivers Motorcycle Therapy and additional life changing, life saving holistic programs specifically designed to assist wounded and amputee combat veterans with their needs and the issues they deal with on a daily basis. Helping our fellow veterans through outreach, action, activities, education and follow-up is what drives our organization.
Our successful actions that have proven to help veterans who are suffering from Post Traumatic Stress, anxiety, sleeping disorders, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), and problems with re-assimilation into civilian life, is to: a) provide them a safe environment with fellow veterans and people they can trust, b) give them outdoor activities that are motivating, enjoyable, challenging and of interest to them, c) introduce them to and educate them on holistic healthy natural alternatives, and d) assist them with rehabilitating their own personal goals and purposes.
The end result of our program is a healthier and happier, more capable individual, who is now living life in a much better physical and mental condition, and able to help and support other veterans to do the same.
Veterans Charity Ride Program:
Our successful actions that have proven to help veterans who are suffering from Post Traumatic Stress, anxiety, sleeping disorders, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), and problems with re-assimilation into civilian life, is to: a) provide them a safe environment with fellow veterans and people they can trust, b) give them outdoor activities that are motivating, enjoyable, challenging and of interest to them, c) introduce them to and educate them on holistic healthy natural alternatives, and d) assist them with rehabilitating their own personal goals and purposes.
The end result of our program is a healthier and happier, more capable individual, who is now living life in a much better physical and mental condition, and able to help and support other veterans to do the same.
Veterans Charity Ride Program:
- MCT – Motorcycle Therapy Rides & Excursions. VCR takes small groups of wounded and amputee veterans on therapeutic motorcycle and sidecar rides and excursions throughout the year. Watch the video here.
- WELL VET – Veteran Health and Wellness Program. WELL VET is a healthy nutritious diet plan (tailored to the veterans individual needs), combined with physical therapy, exercise and twice daily holistic Kaqun oxygen water therapy treatments for the alleviation of stress, physical pain, and to get the body and mind back into a healthy condition. Certified health and wellness coaches work directly with our veterans on a daily basis for the first 5 weeks, continuing weekly and monthly for as long as needed. Watch the video here.
- MOTO DONO – Veteran Motorcycle Donation Program. Industry Partners and the general public donate new and used motorcycles and ATVs to VCR and receive a tax deduction. VCR refurbishes and modifies (when needed) the motorcycles/ATV’s and donates them to deserving veterans. Watch the video here.
HISTORY OF THE RIDE & PROGRAM
FOUNDER, DAVE FREY
STARTED BY VETERANS FOR VETERANS
The ride and program was conceived and developed by veteran Army Airborne Paratrooper, Dave Frey, while riding solo to the Sturgis Bike Rally in 2014. Along the way he met a fellow Paratrooper and they talked about fellow veterans that were returning from Iraq and Afghanistan and the difficult time so many are having with severe injuries, Post Traumatic Stress and adjusting to civilian life after their war experiences.
Thousands have been severely wounded, some with amputations, many with psychological injuries like Post Traumatic Stress and other physical injuries that you cannot see like Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).
On the ride back home Dave couldn’t stop thinking about his fellow veterans and wanted to do something special for them and make a difference in their lives. Then it hit him…let’s use motorcycles to help our veterans. (Dave was born into the family motorcycle business, he grew up on motorcycles, it’s in his blood, he’s been riding for 50 years and knows the impact and value of Motorcycle Therapy.)
Dave reached out to his film producing partner and they came up with the concept of a ride which would include the therapeutic effects of riding a motorcycle aka, Motorcycle Therapy and create an adventure of a lifetime for wounded veterans. At the same time they would film the ride so the message could be shared with as many veterans as possible.
Needing bikes, sidecars and support, Dave contacted Indian Motorcycle and Craig Arrojo, President of Champion Sidecars. After explaining the program and their needs, both companies said an emphatic, “Yes, we’re in!”
Thus the Veterans Charity Ride to Sturgis was born!
The ride and program was conceived and developed by veteran Army Airborne Paratrooper, Dave Frey, while riding solo to the Sturgis Bike Rally in 2014. Along the way he met a fellow Paratrooper and they talked about fellow veterans that were returning from Iraq and Afghanistan and the difficult time so many are having with severe injuries, Post Traumatic Stress and adjusting to civilian life after their war experiences.
Thousands have been severely wounded, some with amputations, many with psychological injuries like Post Traumatic Stress and other physical injuries that you cannot see like Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).
On the ride back home Dave couldn’t stop thinking about his fellow veterans and wanted to do something special for them and make a difference in their lives. Then it hit him…let’s use motorcycles to help our veterans. (Dave was born into the family motorcycle business, he grew up on motorcycles, it’s in his blood, he’s been riding for 50 years and knows the impact and value of Motorcycle Therapy.)
Dave reached out to his film producing partner and they came up with the concept of a ride which would include the therapeutic effects of riding a motorcycle aka, Motorcycle Therapy and create an adventure of a lifetime for wounded veterans. At the same time they would film the ride so the message could be shared with as many veterans as possible.
Needing bikes, sidecars and support, Dave contacted Indian Motorcycle and Craig Arrojo, President of Champion Sidecars. After explaining the program and their needs, both companies said an emphatic, “Yes, we’re in!”
Thus the Veterans Charity Ride to Sturgis was born!
MEET THE TEAM
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Dave FreyFounder Veterans Charity Ride & AdventureVet
Veteran US Army Airborne Paratrooper and lifetime motorcyclist, “Indian Dave” knows firsthand the therapeutic benefits of riding motorcycles to “clear the mind”. After leaving the Army, Dave returned to work in the family motorcycle shop. He later joined the Department of Justice (BoP), Special Operations Response Team (SORT) and also worked as a Wild Lands Fire Fighter. Dave’s interests turned to filmmaking and he has worked for over 20 years producing special events, corporate videos and documentary films. |
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Sue FreyProgram Director
Sue’s background includes 20 years in the TV and film industry, working with some of the industry’s A-Listers on over 20 films. Sue has used her organizational skills and creativity to develop Veterans Charity Ride into a first class organization and life changing program. Sue is also a Certified Health Coach, bringing 10 + years of knowledge and experience in diet and nutrition to VCR. ‘All my training and experience has lead me to this. I love helping people, especially our veterans.” |
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Jacque MahoneyExecutive Administrator & Producer
An energetic and savvy Administrator and Producer, Jacque has worked in the music, arts, legal, TV and film industries for over 25 years. A sharp and detail oriented people loving person, Jacque can bring calm to any storm, offering a vast array of talents to the team. She especially loves being involved in activities and events that create joy, beauty and that bring healing to our veterans, and to the world around us. |
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Keith HelfrichVeteran Mentor, US Army Sgt Major, Ret.
Keith has been involved with Veterans Charity Ride since 2016. After serving over 26 years in the Army, Keith was medically retired in 2014. Keith brings his extensive leadership skills from his army career and is an experienced motorcycle rider, having ridden most of his life. Keith forges knives in his spare time. It is his very special set of skills and passion for helping veterans than makes him a integral part of the team. |
