Our Story
It all started with one local hero.
When one of VEMA’s members, retired Detective Lonnie Mills, was in a motorcycle accident, we knew we wanted to help him and his family to adapt to their new reality.
Lonnie was left paralyzed from the waist down, making it impossible for him to drive his dream truck and enjoy retirement after 30 years of law enforcement. He was unable to navigate in his home, which was not handicap accessible.
The Hometown Hero’s Ride was born in response. We reached out to Builder’s Care, a local nonprofit that provides charitable assistance with building projects like this one, and MasterCraft Builder Group to ask for their support.
Together with our riders, sponsors, and community members, we raised close to $40,000.00 to modify his home and retrofit two family vehicles, empowering him to live his life to the fullest. Because of the success of the first event, we decided to make this ride an annual event.
In April of 2023, we raised just over $55,000.00 to perform home construction and repairs for four local veterans, through Builders Care. We also partnered with Rise Up for Veterans and provide seven scholarships for veterans suffering from PTSD. Going through the VA to receive similar funding can take from 6 to 12 months. For a hero who needs help immediately, that’s just too long to wait. Through this event, it enabled us to offer those scholarships right away.
For our 3rd Annual Hometown Hero's Ride, we honored SSgt. Karlton Berry, a hero who was left paralyzed after a fall while rappelling down a wall during a training exercise. Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors and participants, the funds raised from the ride enabled us to renovate his bedroom and bathroom, ensuring that both spaces are now wheelchair accessible to improve his quality of life. It is also an honor to mention that SSgt. Berry was the first recipient of a Rise Up for Veterans scholarship.
In 2025 and beyond, VEMA will continue to partner with other local charities, organizations, and riders to serve more local heroes and their families.