That’s the case with Rally in the Valley.

The event, held Aug. 27, raised $9,000 for the Warren County Veterans Council’s Veteran Emergency Fund.

Organizer Jeff Frailey said 330 bikes participated this year.

Each bike was charged $25 and all of the proceeds go to the fund. Other miscellaneous donations pushed the total $9,000.

Times Observer photo by Josh Cotton Rally In the Valley organizers, from left, Otis James, Michelle Frailey and Jeff Frailey present a check for $9,000 to, third from left, Veterans Affairs Director Delores Stec on Monday evening at the Youngsville Legion.

The ride has been going for several years but, Frailey said, 2022 was “one of the biggest crowds we have (had).”

The group donated $9,000 in 2019 as well but that included the ride and a big event downtown. This year, just the ride generated $9,000.

“People showed up,” he said. Some showed up and paid the fee without riding. Others couldn’t make it but made the donation anyway.

“The weather could not have been better,” Frailey said of this year’s event. “It was just an absolutely fabulous day…. Everybody loved the ride.”

And ride they did. The event started at Betts Park, went out over the Kinzua Dam and stopped at the Eagles Club and Warren Legion before taking off for Tidioute and West Hickory. From there, they went to Pleasantville to Sugar Lake and then back to Garland and wrapping up in Youngsville at the Legion.

Frailey said at least 300 bikes did the whole route.

“The Legion here has been a huge support for us,” he said. “That’s why we end up here.”

The idea for the event grew out of the Thank A Vet Dam Run that Shawn Castro had designed to take riders over the top of the Kinzua Dam.

“It really came together well,” Frailey said, highlighting groups like the Legion Riders and Christian Bikers that played key roles throughout the day.

“People lined up on the Main Ave. bridge waiving and all along the route,” he added.

Veterans Affairs Director Delores Stec said the funds are open to any veteran residing in Warren County and can be used for things like utility bills, medical bills and prescriptions.

Any veteran with such a need is asked to come to her office to fill out an application that she’ll take before a group of trustees for a determination.

“That what it’s there (for),” she said. “We don’t ever turn a vet away.”