(Pictured left to right-rear-Danielle Bergman, Associate Director/VA WNY Healthcare System, Amy Plotz/Secretary/Legion Riders, David Ramsey, VA Nursing PTSD-Front/left to right-Tom Plotz, Director/Legion Riders, Bob Penton, Legion Riders, Jim Perkins/Treasurer/Legion Riders Joan Perkins/Legion Riders)
The PTSD Residential Program at the VA in Batavia received a donation from the 1460 Legion Riders of Machias on Tuesday afternoon.
The Legion Riders held a Dice Run/Raffle/Chicken Barbecue in May and a 911 Memorial event in September to raise $2,600.
“We have members in our club who have PTSD and we know what they go through and we know what the other veterans are going through. So when we first became a club we made PTSD our go to for all our money,” says Tom Plotz, Director of the Legion Riders.
The Legion Riders started donating to the PTSD Program last year and are hoping to do this every year.
Danielle Bergman, Associate Director at the VA WNY Healthcare System, says they will be using the donation to support the Recreation Program at both the men’s and women’s PTSD Program.
“The program has recently expanded and we have hired a full time Recreational Therapist for these two programs.”
The money will be used to support these programs.
“Whether it be taking veterans out in the community or purchasing kayaks or bikes and other equipment to support the program.”