The Minnesota American Legion Riders arrive in New Ulm as part of the Minnesota American Legion Riders Fund 85 run. The four-day motorcycle ride serves as a fundraiser for Minnesota Veteran Assistance Fund (MVAF), also known as Fund 85. It provides emergency assistance for struggling Minnesota veterans.
NEW ULM – Roughly 50 riders on 38 motorcycles cruised into New Ulm for lunch at the American Legion Friday.
The stopover in New Ulm was part of the Minnesota American Legion Riders motorcycle run for the Minnesota Veteran Assistance Fund (MVAF), also known as Fund 85.
Fund 85 was created as an emergency fund for struggling Minnesota veterans. The funds are available for veterans who need quick assistance or do not qualify for other assistance programs.
Jody Hassing, director of the Minnesota American Legion Riders said Fund 85 was set up in 2022 and is kind of a gap measure to help veterans who need immediate assistance. She said in some cases funds were distributed to veterans within 48 hours of applying. In addition to providing monetary aid, the American Legion helps veterans find other services if needed.
The American Legion Riders raise money for Fund 85 by hosting cross-state motorcycle rides like this.
American Legion Riders donate to take part in the group ride. Along the way, the biker convoy raises further awareness for the cause.
This year’s ride started Thursday in Pipestone, MN. On the first day of the trip, the riders traveled from Pipestone to Lamberton, Redwood Falls, and Granite Falls and stopped for the night in Montevideo.
Friday was the second day of the trip. The riders began in Montevideo and traveled to Austin, Hutchinson and Glencoe before visiting New Ulm for Lunch.
From New Ulm, they traveled to Eagle Lake and back to Austin for the night. Day 3, the riders will travel to La Crescent, MN. On the last day, the group will ride from La Crescent to Bayport, MN.
Hassing said it was a four-day ride. They average 200 miles each day. Some riders travel with them all four days, others ride with them for a single leg of the journey.
This is the 14th year the American Legion Riders have held fundraising rides, but this is the first time the ride has benefited Fund 85.
Hassing said for the first 13 years they were raising money for the American Legion Scholarship. This provided college funding to children of post-9/11 veterans who died on active duty. This was a nationwide scholarship. The American Legion Riders were challenged to help raise $20 million for the fund. Last year they achieved the $20 million goal. The American Legion Riders chose Fund 85 as their next mission.
Hassing said Fund 85 was different in that the money stayed in the state for Minnesota veterans. It is a heavily used fund that needs to be replenished.
Janet Lorenzo, assistant department service officer for the American Legion Department of Minnesota confirmed Fund 85 was needed in Minnesota.
She said her department received around 20 applications a week for emergency funds from struggling Minnesota veterans. The average applicant receives $3,500 in assistance with the maximum limit set at $5,000.
Lorenzo said these emergency funds are available for several scenarios.
“We use this to stop evictions, to stop utility shut-offs,” she said. “On Tuesday, we helped a mom with four children with no food in their house.”
Lorenzo said as of July 3, the Legion had paid out $98,000 in 2024 from Fund 85.
The Rider fund run is very helpful in replenishing Fund 85. Lorenzo said since the ride began Thursday morning they had already raised $20,000.
Some of this was raised through rider donations, but some donations come from people they meet along the way.
Longtime American Legion Rider Lee Davis said they sometimes received donations simply by stopping at a gas station. He said people see all the riders stopping, they ask what is going on and they donate.
Davis and his wife, Joanne, have taken part in all 14 American Legion Riders fund runs, coming long for every mile of the journey. Joanne Davis said in 2009 they participated in the National Legion Riders fund run but preferred the local ride.
“Minnesota rides better than national,” Joanne Davis said. The Minnesota ride follows highways rather than major interstates. She also appreciates the funds raised on this trip would remain in Minnesota.
The Davises said the people they met along the way were very friendly.
“We love the cause and we love the ride,” Joanne Davis said.
