When retired Staff Sgt. Karlton Berry experienced a career-ending training accident that left him paralyzed, his life changed abruptly and drastically. With the help of Hometown Hero’s Ride, his way forward is becoming clearer.
Created with the goal of helping Northeast Florida’s wounded warriors and veterans, this year’s ride, held on Saturday, April 13, drew more than 320 riders and raised just over $63,000. These funds have helped Berry find the mind and the means to embrace life and reconnect with nature and himself.
“Karlton’s story is one that continues to inspire me,” said Mike Minter, event organizer and senior builder with MasterCraft Builder Group, one of the sponsors of the event along with Adamec Harley-Davidson. “He wanted to explore equine therapy to help him work through his PTSD. The process to have that approved through the VA can take months, sometimes longer. We believe if a veteran has the courage to ask for help, they should receive it immediately. Our scholarships help provide that immediate care, and it has been a game changer for Karlton. In fact, Vicki with RiseUp is the one who alerted us to his accessibility needs at home, which we were able to take care of right away. We’ve seen him change and grow into someone full of life and hope, and that’s what this is all about.”
With $18,000 raised through the Hometown Hero’s Ride being used to renovate Berry’s bathroom, the space will become wheelchair-accessible and provide critical therapeutic devices. Another $20,000 will be donated to HorsePlay Therapy’s RiseUp for Veterans to create scholarships for equine therapy, a tool that has been lifesaving for heroes battling with PTSD. The remaining funds will be used to assist first responders and military veterans injured either on or off the job who require mobility tools like wheelchair ramps and other accessibility needs.
Minter’s hope is that the event will continue to grow to where they can financially assist four or five veterans each year.
“The third annual Hometown Hero’s Ride was special in so many ways that it's hard to put into words,” said Krissy Barkas, executive director of Northeast Florida Builders Association’s Builders Care. “Yes, we had a record year with the amount of money we raised, but having Staff Sergeant Karlton Berry there, seeing him smile and enjoy the day, was worth all the hard work that goes into putting an event of this magnitude together. With the funds raised this year, we can modify his bedroom and bathroom to make them both wheelchair-accessible and help other local veterans and first responders as well.”
The Hometown Heroes Ride is an annual charitable motorcycle event in St. Johns County that supports selected Florida First Coast veterans and first responders in need. The ride is presented in coordination with the Veteran Enforcers Motorcycle Association St. Johns County Chapter, Adamec Harley-Davidson of St. Augustine and Northeast Florida Builders Association's Builders Care. To become a sponsor or vendor for next year’s event, taking place in April, or to learn more, go to hometownherosride.com.
