The #SignEffectz team is thrilled once again — it’s almost time for the 3rd Annual Ride for Veterans! Happening on the 22nd of June 2024; it will yet be another unforgettable event. We are all looking forward to this year’s RFV after last year’s successful ride!

For those who are new and have only heard about this event — the Ride for Veterans is an awesome event organized by Sign Effectz and channeled with Veterans Outreach of Wisconsin (VOW) and the Veterans Community Project (VCP). The whole idea behind this event is to raise money to support initiatives to aid homeless Veterans, including expanding their efforts with tiny homes, a 24-hour community service center, a Veterans food market, trauma-informed programming, and a Mobile Market for delivering food to other food pantries in Wisconsin. It’s all about making a difference for our veterans and the community!

The fun kicks off at 9am for registration at Sign Effectz 1827 W Glendale Ave, Milwaukee and then we’ll rev those engines and set off at 11am riding all the way to Wisconsin Harley-Davidson, 1280 Blue Ribbon Dr in Oconomowoc. There will be gift bags with coupons, rad t-shirts, and trinkets for all riders. And check this out – the turnout has doubled from the 2022 event to the 2023 ride! No doubt that even more people are rallying behind this 3rd Annual Ride for Veterans, and we can’t wait to see you there!

To learn more about the event’s time, location, and other details, click here.

Veterans Outreach of Wisconsin (VOW)

Veterans Outreach of Wisconsin is a dedicated organization that supports homeless and at-risk veteran families. Founded by volunteers in 2013, their mission is to help veterans rebuild their lives. Inspired by their proactive approach to serving those in need, we are proud supporters of their cause. Read HERE to learn how #SignEffectz has partnered with VOW in the past to help support their great cause.

That’s how we organized the #RideForVeterans – a motorcycle ride for those who wish to show their support for our veterans. Without them, we wouldn’t have the freedom we so much enjoy, which makes it right to give back to them in this manner.

Donations from 2023

Ride for Veterans 2023 collected a total amount of $8,000! The donations collected from last year’s event were used in resupplying the food pantry shelves at the VOW. It was also used to purchase shopping bags for the veterans and their families that use the food pantry. Part of the funds was also used to help one of the VOW residents (Glenn) last year — to get his license and provide support throughout his stay.

If interested in sponsoring, use this link HERE – if you are on your laptop, click on “Get Quote.”

If interested in participating in the Ride for Veterans, please register HERE.

Veterans Community Project (VCP)

Established in Kansas City, Missouri, by a group of combat Veterans, Veterans Community Project provides high quality and well-developed strategic services that enable Veterans to meet the challenges of day-to-day living, resolve immediate crises, and move towards permanent stability.

VCP’s solution is simple: provide Veterans with a home of their own and individualized, wraparound support services that not only help get them back on their feet but ensure they continue standing.

The tiny homes in VCP Village offer Veterans a sense of security, and the opportunity to reintegrate into the community at their own pace. Each home is pet-friendly and fully furnished with everything a Veteran need, from new furniture to dish towels.

Specially trained case managers work one-on-one with each resident to achieve incremental, lasting results in the areas of health and wellness, education, employment, financial literacy, and the development of a personal support network. When the Veteran is ready, VCP provides support in finding a long-term housing solution, which may include market-rate rentals, homeownership, or subsidized housing. Not only does the Veteran take the entire contents of the tiny house with them, but they take the ongoing support of the Village as well.

Glenn’s story

Glenn, is a 58-year-old veteran, who joined the Navy after high school in 1984. He was honorably discharged after his 4-year stint then decided to re-up for another 6 years. But after about 4 years into his second stint, Glenn got hooked on crystal meth. This caused him to be kicked out from the navy, and found himself lucky to still be sent out with another honorable discharge.

Eventually he went back home to Kenosha, Wisconsin — where his father has encouraged him back to sobriety by taking him to a facility for 6 months. He got a job, was able to quit meth but still continued drinking alcohol. He managed to have a job for 15 years until they closed down. He ended up getting back into his drug addiction, lost his driver’s license due to drunk driving and couldn’t find employment.

When his parents passed, he inherited a significant amount of money — and that was gone in six months. When he lost all the money, he also lost his “friends”. Glenn ended up homeless for two years, sleeping on other people’s couches and outside. He was able to get into a shelter in Kenosha and he worked with the counsellor there, who introduced him to Veterans Outreach of Wisconsin.

On his first night in his tiny home, he sat on the bed and cried because he had a roof over his head, clothes and food. Then he decided that this was it, it was his chance to get things right in his life. He has managed to sober up and has found a job for more than a year.

On Glenn’s free time, he spends it volunteering for disabled vets, for the church and the shelter he used to live at. He also attends AA meetings regularly and is stern that he won’t get back to his nasty habits. He doesn’t want to end up in the streets again and hopes to reconnect with his siblings.

He was able to purchase a “new” used car and he has started his application with the VA for a home loan. His time at the VOW ends this fall and is grateful for all his support system — the AA, VOW, and his work.