SAULT STE. MARIE — More than 300 riders on over 200 motorcycles traveled 340 miles from Hell to Paradise this weekend to raise money and awareness for veterans with PTSD.
The American Legion Riders hosted the second annual “Hell to Paradise” PTSD ride, which began Friday morning in Hell and ended Saturday morning in Paradise. Riders stopped for the night in Gaylord before continuing north, crossing the Mackinac Bridge, and finishing the trip with a police escort through Sault Ste. Marie to Kewadin Casino.
The event raised $20,000, which will be split between Mission 22 Service Dogs and Kamp George for Wounded Heroes.
“In the end, when tonight happens, and we get to award the checks to the recipients and we see the smile on people’s faces. And then we can go to bed tonight knowing we might have saved one person. It makes it all worth it,” said Scott Igo, a veteran and event organizer.
Igo said he plans to take a short break before beginning work on next year’s ride, which he hopes will be even larger.