Wisconsin’s ‘Cruise for the Cause’ raises more than $65,000 to benefit Camp American Legion, assist veteran suicide prevention efforts.
For years, Wisconsin’s American Legion Riders have staged a state fundraising ride, first for The American Legion Legacy Fund and then for other nonprofits and causes. The rides have generated hundreds of thousands of dollars for the various entities.
One of those entities has been the Department of Wisconsin’s Camp American Legion, which since 1925 has provided relaxation and sometimes therapy for the state’s veterans and their families, active-duty military personnel and their families, and to the families of U.S. servicemembers and National Guardsmen killed while on active duty overseas.
And this year, another cause was added: raising awareness for the Legion’s Be the One veteran suicide prevention program. And, more specifically, to support veterans who might not be ready to take their own life but could use a friendly voice to talk to during a tough time.
On June 27-29, more than 50 motorcycles and 91 participants traveled more than 600 miles across the state on the “Cruise for a Cause” ride. The money raised – more than $65,000 so far, with additional donations expected ahead of Wisconsin’s department convention – will go to both Camp American Legion and an initiative to assist veterans in crisis.
Corey Doehrmann, Wisconsin’s state ALR director and the ride’s coordinator, said the idea to make Be the One part of this year’s ride came from a conversation from fellow Legion Rider and Department of Wisconsin Commander Jim Johnson.
“I didn’t know what happens when you call (the Veterans Crisis Line) and you’re not, ‘I’m going to kill myself now’, but you just need somebody to talk to,” said Doehrmann, who also serves as the District 2 ALR director and is a member of both Post 486 and Sons of The American Legion Squadron 486 in Jackson. “Commander Johnson brought it to my attention and came up with this idea that rather than those people having to leave their name and sometime they get a call back, why don’t we have a setup where people can call, and if they’re not suicidal, they get transferred out across the state of Wisconsin and talk to a volunteer.
“It could be a Legion Family member. It could be other people that are on call and waiting and just ready to chat and talk to a veteran that just might need someone to talk to. I thought it sounded like a great idea.”
And that idea became one of the fundraising targets for this year’s ride. “That was the plan for Be the One for the ride: to raise awareness for the fact that many veterans are still struggling,” Doehrmann said. “And then raise funds for the physical equipment needed to make this happen. Maybe some training. There’s a lot of free training, but maybe there needs to be some additional training for people that are going to be on the other end of that phone.”
Camp American Legion again will also benefit from the ride. Completely free of charge, the 300-acre camp offers boating, fishing, hiking, camaraderie and a chance to enjoy Wisconsin’s Northwoods between Little Lake Tomahawk and Big Carr Lake.
The Riders’ previous fundraising efforts have resulted in the purchase of a new cabin, an interior renovation of the camp’s recreation building and more.
“The piece that I think draws Legion Riders to Camp is the atmosphere of the camp. You’re in the Northwoods. You’re in nature,” Doehrmann said. “Just that peaceful, calming presence that you get when you’re out in nature like that. Whether you’re just sitting around the campfire, or you’re out on one of the pontoon boats with a fish line in the water, it’s very similar to the feeling of freedom you get from riding a motorcycle. Everything else fades away into the background. You don’t have to think about all the struggles and troubles you have. It just settles on you like a warm blanket.”
Among the participants on this year’s ride were state Legion Family leadership. Johnson rode his motorcycle on the ride, as did Wisconsin Sons of The American Legion Detachment Commander and Legion Rider Allen Watry. Doehrmann said American Legion Auxiliary Department President Becky Mueller planned on riding as a passenger on a motorcycle, but a knee injury forced her to ride along in a vehicle.
“Cruise for a Cause” made stops at 15 Legion posts, as well as the Wisconsin 9/11 Memorial & Education Center in Kewaskum and the Kendall War Memorial in Kendall.
“The ride would not be successful if we didn’t have our Legion Family across the state helping us,” Doehrmann said. “The Legion Riders are the ones traveling around the state, but it’s our Legion Family who bring donations to our stops and help us achieve success on the mission. It’s our Legion Family that helps us get that work done. We just happen to be the most visible piece of the family because we ride loud motorcycles.”
- Riders