ABOUT US
Veterans in Motion (VIM) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization based in Bullhead City, Arizona, supporting our veterans in the Colorado River region with medical transportation, unique therapies, and assistance in accessing benefits. Founded in 2021, VIM has continually expanded its reach, offering assistance to the estimated 20,000 veterans in the Tri-state area. Donations and grant funding have allowed the organization to provide more than 1,500 free rides for patients over the past year.
“We really appreciate the support we’ve received from the community to help us pay for gas,” said VIM founder and Past President Bob Horn, a Korean War-era Navy veteran. “We count on donations and fundraisers to keep our veterans transportation program going.”
OUR MISSION
VIM’s initial mission was to offer music and motion therapy to help with the healing process for veterans suffering from PTSD and other physical and mental challenges. Dance and music classes are offered weekly at the Optimum Community Center in Bullhead City, and there’s never a fee to participate.
The medical transportation program for veterans was inaugurated in 2022 after the Mohave County Board of Supervisors provided grant funding to purchase two vans.
When a freak storm on Labor Day weekend in 2022 caused significant damage to power poles resulting in the closure of many local medical facilities, VIM was there to help to avoid life-threatening consequences for dialysis patients and others who needed regular procedures to stay alive.
“We got a van a few days before Labor Day weekend in 2022,” Horn explained. “We had a huge storm on Labor Day that took down over 100 power poles throughout Bullhead City and surrounding areas, and the dialysis machines in Bullhead City were down for about 10 days. We got the call that our services were needed to take veterans to Kingman for their dialysis and did this as necessary for the next week and a half. It was amazing how we were there just when we were needed.”
The program began with the purchase of a 2017 Ford Transit Van with a wheelchair lift.
“We quickly discovered we needed another vehicle as we were so busy driving, some days in opposite directions. We went back to the Board of Supervisors and we were able to get grant funding for a 2020 Nissan Rogue,” Horn said. “Before our program began, our local veterans did not have transportation to their medical appointments with specialty doctors in Kingman and Lake Havasu or to Las Vegas where the VA Hospital is located. That’s how we found our niche.”
MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM FOR VETERANS
The transportation program is managed by VIM President Harold Smith and Board Member Ken Goetz, both Army veterans who work together with volunteers to manage ride scheduling, driver training, and share driving duty with other volunteer drivers every weekday shuttling veterans to local and out-of-town medical appointments.
“Finding funds for fuel, vehicle maintenance and insurance is a never-ending quest,” Goetz said. “We began with a couple of grants from Legacy Foundation and River Fund, both dedicated to buying gasoline. We received other grants since then for our transportation Program from DOT Foods, Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association, Moose Riders and Laughlin Chamber of Commerce Volunteers In Partnership. We also have received donations in fuel gift cards from the Chaparral Bunco Girls. I would like to thank the community for all the support in donations and grants they have given to help support our veterans medical transportation program.”
“The program is so successful that right now that our most pressing need is more volunteer drivers,” Smith noted. “We’re reaching our capacity, and we need help to keep it going.”
Anyone interested in volunteering their time to help with driving or dispatch should call (928) 575-2321 or email info@VeteransInMotion.net.
MUSIC AND MOTION THERAPY PROGRAMS
While the medical transportation program serves military veterans only, VIM events are not exclusive to veterans – the public is invited and the classes are free, although donations are accepted. Ballroom and line dancing classes happen weekly in the ballroom at Fiesta RV Resort in Bullhead City. The Veterans Patriot Band and ukelele and voice classes held each week in the Veterans In Motion Studio, located in room 703 at Optimum Community Center (formerly Suddenlink Center) at 2380 Optimum Way in Bullhead City. Check the schedule on the home page for specific days and times.
SWEETHEARTS BALL FUNDRAISER
VIM’s main annual fundraiser is a Sweethearts Ball on Valentine’s Day, featuring live music, dancing, dinner and a no-host bar plus a silent auction, prize raffle and a 50/50 drawing. All proceeds support VIM’s music and motion therapy classes and transportation program. Learn more about the event on the Sweethearts Ball page on this website.
YOU CAN HELP US SUPPORT LOCAL VETERANS
While board members and advisors continue to work to secure grants to fund the transportation and the music and motion therapy classes, VIM needs support from the community.
“The best way to help support our programs is online through our website’s secure donation link,” said Horn. “We’re also happy to accept prepaid fuel cards from any of the local gas stations. We also need volunteers to drive and help with dispatch.”
Donations may be tax-deductible. To learn more or to get on the list for medical transportation, call (928) 575-2131.
