Benefit run makes Fairmont stop
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FAIRMONT - Hot off the heels of the Fairmont Legion forming its own Legion Riders chapter, the American Legion Riders Fund 85 Run made its way to Fairmont on Friday.
The run is done to help Fund 85 continue its mission for veterans.
"If a veteran needs something like a water heater or car fixed or something like that to maintain their daily life, and they’ve exhausted every other avenue to try and get funding, that’s what this program is for," Fairmont Legion Riders Director Trent Johnson said.
This is the sixth running of the event, which Assistant Director Donna Johnson said alternates each year between Southern and Northern Minnesota. Prior to the start of the event, she said it was on them to get everything ready for the riders.
"We went around, got some donations from different places for water and Gatorade and some snack stuff for the ride," she said. "We have riders that are going to be setting up. We went to the city, got the permit to be able to block off the 300 block of downtown plaza for that event, so we’re gonna have riders there setting up the barricades for us."
As for how Fairmont was selected, Legion Riders State Road Captain Ted Berg said having a new chapter in town played a part in the choice.
"We put word out to all the legions asking if anybody would be willing to have us stop there," he said. "We go off of the list we got. I was a recruiter down here for five years, so I know a lot of the people down here. I wanted to make sure we got this on the stop, and with them having a new chapter, we definitely wanted to get stopped in here."
This event comes as the Fairmont Legion Riders had their chapter officially installed on July 19. Overall, Donna said early results have been encouraging and positive, including through presence at the Memorial Day and Interlaken Heritage Days parades.
"We’ve been able to get people together," she said. "The support of the community has been fantastic, and the guidance from Duane Mabon, the state director for the riders, and all the different people along the way that have helped us. It’s neat as a new chapter."
Currently, seven people are signed up to be Legion Riders, and around a dozen are interested. Trent said they have also had plenty of volunteers sign up, who don't ride but wish to support.
By having this event here, Donna said it connects with what the Legion Riders do.
"It is connecting with veterans and helping veterans," she said. "That is the whole point of the riders is to support veterans in whatever way we can."
In addition, Trent said that having a ride with over 30 riders also helps promote motorcycle safety and awareness.
"People still, after all these years of motorcycles being on the roads, don’t acknowledge them," he said. "Don’t see them when they’re driving in their vehicles, and we’re hoping to be able to get that out more, where people will start recognizing them more, and that’s out of paying more attention to the motorcycles out on the roads."
"This year has been really bad," Donna added. "There’s a lot of people on the roads because of the gas prices on motorcycles and two- and three-wheeled vehicles, and the rate of motorcycle accidents has been a lot higher."
So far, Berg said the ride has been good.
"Yesterday (Thursday) we had great weather," he said. "Today (Friday) it’s a little breezy, but with the overcast, it’s a little cooler riding. Tomorrow (Saturday) sounds like it’s gonna be a hot day riding, but other than that, it’s been really good. We have no incidents, no tipped bikes, no problems."
At the Fairmont Legion downtown, where the riders stopped, it was announced that $1,150 had been donated from Fairmont toward the Fund 85 cause, including a $1,000 check from the Fairmont American Legion. Overall, the Fund 85 ride has raised over $20,895 so far.
Donna thanked everyone for coming and for the help they have received in getting the Fairmont Legion Riders chapter up and running.
"It’s been amazing," she said. "As I am new to the directorship and organization of everything, it’s been a learning process. Everybody has been amazing and very helpful and very supportive."
Before departing from Fairmont, Martin County Veterans Memorial Committee member Chuck Mixson described the memorial for the riders before they stopped by it on their way out of town.
"We appreciate you stopping and looking at our memorial," he said. "I think we have one of the nicest ones around, and thanks for letting me ride with you guys."
The riders ended the day in St. Peter, and Saturday will end their ride going from St. Peter to Waseca. For more information on the Fund 85 Run, visit fund85run.org