St. Augustine’s hosts Hometown Hero’s Ride on Saturday, July 23

The inaugural Hometown Heroes Ride benefiting retired Jacksonville Sherriff Officer Lonnie Mills will take place on Saturday, July 23, at the Adamec Harley Davidson located in St. Augustine’s outlet mall.

Spearheaded by Mike Minter, Chapter Commander of VEMA, a military, law enforcement and fire-rescue motorcycle association, the police escorted convoy is raising funds for 54-year-old Mills who was paralyzed in April after being rear-end on his motorcycle by a distracted driver. The accident severed Mill’s spine, leaving him paralyzed from the waist down.

In need of a vehicle that would accommodate his handicap, Minter stepped in to retrofit “his dream truck.” Monies raised will go to Builder’s Care to rebuild Mills’ truck to accommodate his paralysis.

Minter described Mills as a beacon of light who dedicated his entire life to protecting his community.

“Lonnie was always the first to step up to the plate, " he said. “And now he’s in need. We’re here to do all that we can to make him feel whole again.”

Since 2001, Builders Care, a faith-based, nonprofit arm of Northeast Florida Builder’s Association (NEFBA), has been assisting the needs of the elderly and disabled as well as individuals with mobility issues. Like Mills, many first responders and military vets who are injured or maimed on or off the job require mobility assistance in the form of wheelchair ramps and other home construction needs.

“When I was asked if Builders Care would be interested in partnering with Adamec Harley for a motorcycle fundraiser that would benefit our local first responders and military veterans, I immediately replied, ‘Absolutely!,’” said Krissy Barkas, Executive Director of Northeast Florida Builder’s Association. “We take great pride in supporting first responders and military veterans to build ramps or make home modifications.”

As the VEMA Chapter Commander gathered his “forces,” the event evolved to become a tour de force sponsored by a variety of organizations including Builders Care, Adamec Harley-Davidson of St. Augustine, MasterCraft Builder Group, The Shee Family, Davidson Realty, Suncoast Roofers Supply, and The Fire Watch.

Surrounded by “such incredible support,” Minter has decided to earmark the ride as an annual event. Minter noted that people often ask him why he leads VEMA to rebuild and reconstruct homes and vehicles for those in need.

“My paycheck is tangible,” he said. “I can see how we change people’s lives. And we’re here for the long haul - even after the lights and glamour fade. These people matter to us. And they will matter to us forever.”

Minter spoke of the ease at which those injured or maimed can “fall into that dark hole.”

“When someone like Lonnie, who dedicated his entire life to the service of others gets injured, it’s our obligation to do everything we can to make him feel whole; to give him stability, to give him a future; and to give him a reason to keep moving.”

Minter said that when he visited Mills in the hospital at the time of the accident, he knew Lonnie would continue to change lives for the better.

“Little did I know,” he continued, “in that process, he was actually changing mine.”

As VEMA’s chapter president, Minter remains committed to helping anyone who has “answered the call to duty” through VEMA’s active participation in charitable events and functions.

“VEMA tributes those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in support of our country’s freedoms,” he said. “VEMA also honors the those families who have lost loved ones as well as those injured on or off duty who require our assistance in building whatever is needed to provide mobility.”

Minter explained that VEMA “utilizes their passion for motorcycling” to support charitable events “embedded with honor, duty, respect, remembrance, and brotherhood.”

“Our memberships serve a purpose,” he concluded. “We don’t rank among the one percent. No one is allowed to hide behind our shield. We support like-minded motorcycling organizations that maintain VEMA’s mission with no bias or obligation. VEMA membership is not open to the general public and members are held accountable for their actions.”

This police escorted ride begins and ends Adamec Harley Davidson of St. Augustine, 380 Outlet Mall Blvd., St. Augustine.

Registration runs from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. The ride kicks off at 10:30 a.m. Registration is $25 per bike. The first 300 registered bikers will receive a ride T-shirt. Monies will benefit Builders Care. The event is sponsored by and more. Food trucks, vendors, live music, and raffles will also be on-site. Please note: no autocycles allowed such as Slingshots and T-REX.