SC bikers bring Christmas joy in July to veterans

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — About 50 motorcycle riders from the American Legion are bringing some Christmas joy in July to veterans in Charleston.

Veterans Affairs spokeswoman Tonya Lobbestael says Sunday’s event features the bikers arriving with their colorfully-wrapped Christmas gifts at noon.

The riders are part of Post 166 of the American Legion Riders. The group begins their ride at the Goose Creek Post. The group has collected gift items for several months in advance of the event.

The gifts are personal care and recreation items designed to provide for their needs while hospitalized.

Lobbestael says the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center is grated for the support it gets from such organizations, including the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Disable American Veterans and the Vietnam Veterans of America.