On September 26 the Clearwater Legion Riders held a spaghetti dinner to celebrate the success of their annual Homeless Vets Run fundraiser and award the proceeds of their hard work.

The Riders invited their donors and this year’s nonprofit veterans’ organizations to the event so everyone could be present and see where the money they raised is going. This year’s recipients were Angel Reins, Magnus Veterans Foundation, Patriot Assistance Dogs, St. Cloud Stand Down, Veterans on the Lake Resort, and Wounded Warrior Guide Service. 

The organizations were chosen as they were deemed to have the most impact for the money in veterans’ lives; each was awarded $7,500.

First to be awarded a donation was Angel Reins, an organization that provides equestrian therapy to veterans, survivors of human trafficking, and others suffering from PTSD, depression, and anxiety. Most of the horses they use are rescues. 

“They [the horses] have gone through a lot and bond well with the veterans,” said one of the representatives for Angel Reins. A veteran helped by their organization also shared how it had saved his life.

Next was Magnus Veterans Foundation, which provides holistic care for veterans and their families. The organization just opened last summer with the mission to heal and honor veterans and their families through community fellowship and a comprehensive approach to restoring the body, heart, mind, and spirit. 

The organization’s founders have over 100 years of combined military service, and their team, which includes physicians, licensed professionals, veteran families, community leaders, and military advocates, understand the profound impact that war and military service has on veterans and their families.

Because of the overabundance of dogs in pounds, Patriot Assistant Dogs, the third recipient, decided to use rescue dogs to provide highly trained, certified psychiatric service dogs to veterans. The cost for each dog trained averages $19,000, however they provide the animals to veterans at no cost. 

“To say he [his dog] saved my life is an understatement,” said one of the veterans who attended the event with his dog and explained how the organization and the dog they provided him had impacted his life.

Recipient number four was St. Cloud Stand Down, whose mission is to provide veterans with dignity and respect. They provide everything a vet might need, including help with rent, a car, legal issues, furniture, mattresses, and boxes of food each month. Representative Bob Berens stated they’d given out 239 boxes of food in 2022 so far, and they were on target to give away 750 boxes by the end of the year. They also work with eight area businesses to provide good jobs.

“Whatever a veteran needs we can help,” said Berens. 

Veterans on the Lake Resort was next, an organization near the Boundary Waters with the mission of enriching the lives of disabled veterans, current and formerly enrolled veterans, and their families by providing opportunities for inclusion in outdoor recreational activities and mental respite. Their current goal is to have their pier access and all of their cabins and services wheelchair accessible. 

Last up was Wounded Warrior Guide Service, whose representative spoke about their mission to provide recreational therapy to around 800 veterans each year by bringing them outdoors to experience activities such as hunting and camping trips and fishing events.

The Clearwater Legion Riders’ Homeless Veteran’s Run and Fundraiser is held annually on the first weekend of August. Along with the ride, this year’s event included silent and live auctions, raffles, dinner, and a street dance. All proceeds from the event are used for veteran causes.