We Gift More Than Just a Motorcycle

Riding is an alternative therapy; and our gifts are the tools by which an injured Veteran rider regains its healing benefits. The Harleys we gift are not awards for service, popularity-based decisions or simply thank-you gifts. They are, instead, meant to help redirect, if not save, struggling and at-risk Veteran lives by returning them to The Road. While our goal is to gift one bike a year, since our first gifting in May 2016, SEVENTY THREE Wisconsin Veterans have now regained riding in their lives. You’ve put them on beautiful bikes, that they choose from dealership floors, to clear their minds, fill their hearts and reconnect supportive bonds.

Despite our goal of gifting one bike a year, we rolled into 2026 with a record-breaking plan to gift TWELVE Harleys TO CHANGE TWELVE MORE LIVES with the alternative therapy found in riding. We wrapped up our “gifting season” in August by doing just that. We are currently in fundraising mode for 2027 and greatly appreciate all the amazing support you lend. YOU ARE THE FUEL that helps redirect struggling Veteran’s lives—and that of their families and communities—all because a motorcycle reenters their lives.

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LATEST NEWS

WE PUT OUR LAST THREE VETERANS OF 2026 ON THE ROAD IN ONE WEEK… GIVING THEM PLENTY OF TIME TO STILL GET THEIR HEALING MILES IN!

MEET RECIPIENT #73: Army & National Guardsman, First Sergeant Aaron Schneider of Cecil, WI. Aaron joined the Army National Guard in 1998 and, wanting more, transitioned to active duty two years later as a Cannon Fire Direction Controller. In early 2003 he deployed to Kuwait for an unknown mission; and two months later listened to their General announce the plan to invade Iraq the very next day. Aaron “won” the role of driving his Battalion Commander’s Humvee; and he moved his leader up and down the convoy, through strategic achievements and horrific incidents for the next 26 days of their push into Baghdad. He subsequently acquired images, memories and emotions that he would tamp down for the next 22 years before recognizing the weight of PTSD and Survivor’s Guilt. He returned from the Invasion, transitioned to a Satellite Controller and stationed in Japan with his two young daughters. Single parenting caused emotional challenges and, in 2008, Aaron separated at the end of his contract to bring his girls home to Wisconsin. After floundering without purpose or direction for six months, he reenlisted in the Guard for the chance to deploy again. Aaron returned from a second tour to Iraq, bought his first motorcycle and rode for the next eight years, gaining release and camaraderie, until his financial situation required he sell his bike. He grew to love his part-time work in the Guard and advanced to became a Field Artillery Instructor and a First Sergeant leading a Battery. His undressed PTSD symptoms slowly oozed out over the years to affect jobs, relationships and finances; and Aaron turned to drinking and gambling to soften their pain. After 25 years of service, he realized it was time to put his family first and chose to retire in 2024… and then he finally chose to seek mental health care. Aaron has worked hard to care for his Country, his family, and now himself; but the one thing he’s been missing and unable to afford is a motorcycle back in his life. Hogs For Heroes believed we could support the hard work ahead by putting him back on The Road. Read Aaron’s full story here and catch the flier for his August 15, 2026 Presentation of Keys Ceremony here.

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INTRODUCING RECIPIENT #72: Air Force Veteran, Senior Airman Matthew Winnekins of Marinette, WI. Matt no sooner turned 16 when he got his first motorcycle and built a lifetime of passion, and need, for wind therapy. After 9/11 struck our nation the high school junior chose to join the Air Force for a direction he could be proud of. Specializing as a Turbo Prop/Turbo Shaft aircraft mechanic, the Airman stationed at Florida’s Hurlburt Field and would deploy fast and frequently, with short notice, to active war zones for helicopter maintenance, repair and recovery needs. Six times, in fact, over five years. The first day of his first deployment sent him to Djibouti for a horrific friendly-fire incident that took out two Marine helicopters that left mass casualties, destruction and devastation. It would be the start of his life long journey with PTSD. Personal life experiences, and those accumulated in war, would compound over the years; and left unaddressed, cause him to spiral, lose jobs and resort to drinking. It was motorcycling that moved him through his years of struggle and eventually brought brotherhood, support and direction back into his life. After finally deciding to seek treatment in 2022, Matt has worked hard to build a path of stability and strength not just himself, but for his wife and family. Part of that plan included buying a home; unfortunately, years of bad credit and debt prevented the bank’s approval. In an effort to pay off bills, Matt sold his beloved Street Glide this past March. Without a bike in this rider’s life, Hogs For Heroes believed his therapeutic release, support and life direction could be at risk; and we chose to invest in Matt’s life with our healing tool. You can click here to read Matt’s full story and catch the flier for his August 15, 2026 Presentation of Keys Ceremony here.

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HERE’S RECIPIENT #71: Marine Staff Sergeant Joshua Shores of Ellsworth, WI. As a kid Josh dreamed of becoming a Marine; and despite his mother’s tears, enlisted as a junior in high school. For the chance to fight, he graduated a semester early in January, 2004, left for boot camp the following month and returned to cross his school’s graduation stage in his dress blues. The Infantryman returned to Camp Pendleton and, as a SAW (Squad Automatic Weapon) Gunner, immediately began training for his first combat deployment. Josh landed in Ramadi, Iraq in February 2005: one of the most dangerous cities at the time. While there he would experience personal turmoil, injury and loss; and as a result, would earn a Purple Heart and a lifetime of struggles with PTSD, TBI and Survivors Guilt. Six months later he deployed on an MEU and extended his contract for another deployment to Iraq. He joined MARSOC for this tour and instead of Iraq, was sent to the Helmand Province in Afghanistan, for near continuous battle with the Taliban. His contract complete, he separated and almost instantly began transitional struggles. He spiraled in grief and anger, lost focus and isolated, and drank excessively to quiet the memories and numb the pain. Looking for an adrenaline fix and a release, he turned to motorcycling and rode for two years until he could no longer afford the bike. With uncontrolled outbursts, depressive emotions and suicide attempts, Josh took the difficult step forward and finally sought mental health care through the VA. While he moved through life and started a family, buying a motorcycle wasn’t within the family’s means despite his longing for wind therapy. He’s been borrowing a friend’s bike to help with the needed release; and Hogs For Heroes believed we could support Josh’s healing by gifting him a bike of his own. You can click here to read Josh’s full story and catch the flier for his August 8, 2026 Presentation of Keys Ceremony here.

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LEARN ABOUT PAST RECIPIENTS! Miss the stories of our past Recipients?  Catch them below by simply clicking on the Veteran’s name button. See the Harleys they’ve chosen–some new, some barely broken in–by clicking on the Recipient Photos button here or the icon below.

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CATCH OUR LATEST NEWSLETTER!  Find out the latest happenings and updates in our most recent Hogs for Heroes newsletter. Read it here!

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CHECK OUT OUR UPDATED CALENDAR OF EVENTS! So much is going on with Hogs for Heroes, see what’s happening and where here!

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SUPER COOL NEWS: Our Recipients created a way to express their appreciation and pride for the healing gifts your donations have made possible.  In addition to the decals they had made exclusively for Recipient use, they chose to have license plates that reflect their gifting number within the Hogs For Heroes family.  Watch for WI motorcycle plates on the road that read H4H## (i.e. H4H6 or H4H47, etc.).  And please note, Hogs For Heroes does not ask Recipients to tag their bikes (or themselves!) in any way.  They choose to do this.

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