After filling out the seemingly never ending array of paperwork, electing officers to serve on the board, and then submitting all of this to the National Organization the AMVETS Riders Chapter # 43 in Bellville became only the fourth organization to receive their charter membership into the AMVETS Riders in the state of Ohio.
With 26 riders listed on their initial charter application the Chapter # 43 riders hope to grow in numbers in the near future. Any one who is a veteran whether it be a Regular, an Auxiliary, or a Sons of Amvets member can join as long as they ride a motorcycle regardless of make or model.
To present the Chapter members with their charter was the AMVETS Riders State President Darrell Robinson of Chapter # 4 in Chillicothe, Ohio. Mr. Robinson was a Vietnam veteran serving in the Coast Guard during 1966 thru 1970 for his country.
Mr. Robinson presented the charter to Mr. Greg Fink the President of Chapter # 43 AMVETS Riders organization along with a lot of the AMVETS Chapter # 43 charter members on a ceremony held on Main Street in Bellville on Sunday afternoon.
The AMVETS Riders were formed as an organization whose main objective is to raise funds for veterans and the community alike. One of the requirements is to hold at least two functions per year to help support the likes of Veterans Hospitals, cancer research, burn victims and such.
The AMVETS Riders Chapter # 43 has already met one of those requirements as they hosted a Poker Run during the village wide street mart earlier in July which 86 riders attended to help raise money for the Walter Reed Medical Hospital that treats wounded veterans.
Darrell Robinson explained to the group on hand that it was efforts like those of Chapter # 43 and its membership that will go a long way in changing the national perspective of how people look at motorcycle riders as a group.
“People who ride motorcycles are not afraid to go out in the community and try to raise money for a good cause. They are always some of the first people who step forward and are willing to do what is needed to help out” he went on to say.
The AMVETS Riders Chapter in Bellville and the members of the AMVETS Riders are already looking into their second big fund raiser of the year, but more research is needed into the organization at this time to make sure it is a legitimate function.
According to Sam Piper another charter member from Bellville “We are looking into an organization called Merlin’s Miracles Foundation which aides burn victims with assistance after they return home”.
With the current AMVETS membership up 103 % over last years total at Post # 43 in Bellville swelling it to 455 registered members there is a lot of people to look to for help in whatever cause they will tackle as a group next.         
   It is just another way that the Veterans Organizations here in Bellville just never seem to endlessly help give back to the community time and time again. The Bellville community is lucky to have organizations willing to do whatever is needed to shine a positive light on our town.