Biker benefit to help disabled war veterans

By Owen Boss

Staff Writer

EASTHAMPTON - The local American Legion is organizing a motorcycle ride Sunday to raise money for an organization that pairs war veterans with assistance dogs that help them live more independently.

The 75-mile ride, scheduled to begin at the American Legion Post on Pleasant Street at 8:30 a.m., comes a year after post members provided Kevin Lambert, an Iraq War veteran from Boston, with around $5,000 to help purchase, train and bond with Ronnie, his new assistance dog.

"The dog was given to him, they trained together and he has been working with it for the last year or so," said Dori Melnik, of Hatfield, who is a member of the American Legion Riders. She said she jumped at the opportunity to help support area veterans.

"He is so happy with his dog that he is going to travel west this Sunday to participate and see what we do," said Melnik.

All the money raised from the ride through the $20 per rider fee will go to NEADS/Dogs For Deaf and Disabled Americans, a Princeton-based non-profit established in 1976 that trains and provides independence to people who are deaf or physically disabled through the use of canine helpers.

NEADS has trained over 1,300 assistance dog teams from all over the country. Each year, the nonprofit prepares more than 50 teams and, after a two-week training period, holds graduation ceremonies for both the dogs and their new owners.

Bethany Costigan, of South Deerfield, whose husband, Jeffrey Costigan, is in the Army and deployed for pre-mobilization training earlier this week, said she decided to help organize the ride after seeing how successful last year's ride was.

"We raise the money and NEADS will get back to us when they have an in-state veteran who is in need and we head down to the graduation ceremony," Costigan said. "My husband is in the Army and God forbid, if he ever needed a dog, I'd like to know that there are people ready to help get him one."

Also co-sponsoring the benefit ride, Costigan said, is the Hartford-based Haymond Law Firm, coolbikerides.com and the Springfield HOG Chapter, or Harley Owners Group.

Although this is only the second year residents have come together for this cause, Costigan said she hopes it will become a tradition.

At each stop along the ride, which is expected to wrap up at about 10 a.m., each rider will get a playing card that will contribute to a poker hand to be turned in at the finish line.

The riders with the highest and lowest hands at the finish, Costigan said, will win cash prizes. Also, Costigan said, a lunch will be served from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Legion.

Owen Boss can be reached at oboss@gazettenet.com