After sacrificing so much overseas, a soldier shouldn't be called to continue sacrificing once they return home.
That's how American Legion Riders (ALR) at Post 10 in Winfield felt when they heard the story of Wellington resident, SSG Lynn Murch.
Murch purchased a 2003 Harley-Davison Sportster in 2006, soon after that she was deployed to Iraq. As the bike sat in storage, Murch was injured and returned home. With injuries to her shoulder it was hard for her to ride the Harley, so she had it converted to a trike. The wounded warrior rolled on with three wheels but was faced with a tough decision thanks to mother nature.
"The wonderful Kansas wind decided to blow my roof apart," Murch said. "So I just came to terms with it and decided maybe I should just sell it [the trike] so we could fix our roof."
Murch listed the bike online at Craigslist.com, that's where the riders in Winfield took note of her story and decided to help.
"She was selling off a piece of her way of life, something she enjoyed," said Darin Loftis, Director of ALR Post 10. "We felt she'd paid enough already and we were going to do everything we could to help her keep the bike."
Post 10 has been raising money for Murch and her husband John so they can keep a good roof over their heads.
The goal is to raise $8,700 for labor and materials, so far ALR Post 10 has managed to bring in $3,200. In just two months, they are still under halfway to the finish line. Loftis said they have solicited other American Legion posts throughout the state to raise the money, they have also received a few private donations and have held some raffles. Loftis said future efforts are in the works.
"I'm open to suggestions," Loftis said. "I'm just appealing to the public — small donations, large donations we'll take it all."
They will also accept donations of roofing materials or roofing materials at a discounted price. With all of the efforts, SSG Murch is taken aback.
"I really don't even have words to describe it all," Murch said.
The way she puts it is it's better than Ty Pennington coming to do a miracle home makeover. The focus of said makeover is the damaged roof, which needs repaired ASAP.
"Right now it has a bunch of shingles missing and it's leaking into the house," Murch described. "It's starting to rot."
Not only is her home in need of repair, so is her shoulder which was wounded in Iraq by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED).
"I was a truck driver and we got hit with an IED," Murch said "...I have to have surgery, I'm still waiting on the VA to finish all of my paper work."
As far as the fundraising efforts are concerned, Lofits said there was no specific deadline but Murch's insurance is starting to put pressure on her to get something done.
If anyone is interested in donating to this Wounded Warrior Project, donations can be sent to: American Legion Post #10, Att: ALR 10/WW Project, 115 West 10th Ave. Winfield, KS 67156-3501.
For more information contact Darin Loftis at 620-441-3311.
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After sacrificing so much overseas, a soldier shouldn't be called to continue sacrificing once they return home.
That's how American Legion Riders (ALR) at Post 10 in Winfield felt when they heard the story of Wellington resident, SSG Lynn Murch.
Murch purchased a 2003 Harley-Davison Sportster in 2006, soon after that she was deployed to Iraq. As the bike sat in storage, Murch was injured and returned home. With injuries to her shoulder it was hard for her to ride the Harley, so she had it converted to a trike. The wounded warrior rolled on with three wheels but was faced with a tough decision thanks to mother nature.
"The wonderful Kansas wind decided to blow my roof apart," Murch said. "So I just came to terms with it and decided maybe I should just sell it [the trike] so we could fix our roof."
Murch listed the bike online at Craigslist.com, that's where the riders in Winfield took note of her story and decided to help.
"She was selling off a piece of her way of life, something she enjoyed," said Darin Loftis, Director of ALR Post 10. "We felt she'd paid enough already and we were going to do everything we could to help her keep the bike."
Post 10 has been raising money for Murch and her husband John so they can keep a good roof over their heads.
The goal is to raise $8,700 for labor and materials, so far ALR Post 10 has managed to bring in $3,200. In just two months, they are still under halfway to the finish line. Loftis said they have solicited other American Legion posts throughout the state to raise the money, they have also received a few private donations and have held some raffles. Loftis said future efforts are in the works.
"I'm open to suggestions," Loftis said. "I'm just appealing to the public — small donations, large donations we'll take it all."
They will also accept donations of roofing materials or roofing materials at a discounted price. With all of the efforts, SSG Murch is taken aback.
"I really don't even have words to describe it all," Murch said.
The way she puts it is it's better than Ty Pennington coming to do a miracle home makeover. The focus of said makeover is the damaged roof, which needs repaired ASAP.
"Right now it has a bunch of shingles missing and it's leaking into the house," Murch described. "It's starting to rot."
Not only is her home in need of repair, so is her shoulder which was wounded in Iraq by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED).
"I was a truck driver and we got hit with an IED," Murch said "...I have to have surgery, I'm still waiting on the VA to finish all of my paper work."
As far as the fundraising efforts are concerned, Lofits said there was no specific deadline but Murch's insurance is starting to put pressure on her to get something done.
If anyone is interested in donating to this Wounded Warrior Project, donations can be sent to: American Legion Post #10, Att: ALR 10/WW Project, 115 West 10th Ave. Winfield, KS 67156-3501.
For more information contact Darin Loftis at 620-441-3311.
