Sean Graham told his parents when he was a teenager that if he ever became a millionaire, he would buy a bike for every Veteran that wanted one. Forty years later, the Roanoke County native realizes that he’ll likely never reach seven figures; however, he has been able to purchase 50 bikes for Veterans since 1995.

Brett Robbins, the Public Affairs Officer for the Salem VA Medical Center, is hoping to collect as many bicycles as possible by the end of the month as part of the “Bikes for Vets” campaign. Area residents can drop off as many bikes – ideally ones that are new or gently used – as they want at the Salem Goodwill Store, located at 1494 East Main Street, Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

“The more bicycles that are donated, the better,” Brett said. “Goodwill Industries of the Valleys and the Salem VA Medical Center will give away the bicycles during our annual VA2K event on May 16 to Veterans that have already been identified as having a barrier to transportation, currently looking for employment or do not possess the resources to get around.”

Approximately 30 bicycles have been donated so far. As part of the campaign, the Salem VA Credit Union will be sponsoring the purchase of one helmet and lock for each donated bike.

The mission of the Goodwill is simple: to help individuals overcome barriers they have to work and gain greater independence.

“Bikes for Vets allows Goodwill to fulfill our mission, while also extending a helping hand to Veterans in need,” Kelly Sandridge, Vice President of Marketing for Goodwill Industries of the Valleys, said. “We felt this was a wonderful way to honor their service.”

For nearly 15 years, John Stone’s main mode of transportation was a bicycle. The Navy Veteran and father of eight said he would use his bike to get to work, go to the grocery store and run errands around the city.

“There is a stigma for adults who rely on a bicycle to get around, but there shouldn’t be,” John said. “Instead of shelling out hundreds of dollars each month for a vehicle, I decided to invest that money in my family. This campaign is going to have a tremendous impact on the lives of so many people.”

Fully aware of that, Kelly Sandridge wants to do more events for local Veterans in the future.

“Our Veterans have already sacrificed so much to serve our country. Many people think they have all the support they need, but don’t understand the struggles that so many face on a daily basis,” she said. “Our hope is through this campaign, they will receive the assistance they need to get back on the road to greater independence. A bike is a tiny thing, but it could make a world of difference for someone.”

For more information about the Bikes for Vets campaign, visit goodwillvalleys.com.