American Legion Riders Chapter 4, Dog Tag Buddies, and Tenacious Dames Riding Club are teaming up for an important cause - to spread awareness about suicide in Montana. There are so many things that make this great state the most wonderful place in the world. However, our suicide rates being among the highest in the nation is not one of them.
Ride for Tomorrow is scheduled to take place on June 19, 2021, and encompasses both an official Iron Butt ride (1,000 miles in 24 hours) and various "pick your path" summer solstice routes (ride wherever and however long you like and submit your miles). The event will take place in 7 towns: Billings, Broadus, Glendive, Culbertson, Malta, Fort Benton, and Big Timber. The goal of this event is to get people out riding for and talking about a critical issue often clouded in stigma.
There will be day-of activities happening on June 19th in the parking lot outside American Pharmaceuticals and Bull Mountain Grille in Billings Heights. Outlaws of Octane, a Billings-based car club, is partnering with us to put on a car show and shine from 10 am to 2 pm. There will also be local nonprofits tabling during this time to share their missions based in suicide prevention and mental health services in our community. Make sure to come hang out, eat some good local food, possibly learn something new, and help add voices to the conversation.
This event will not only add miles to the odometer, but miles to the conversation of suicide. Funds raised will support state-wide Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) presentations and other suicide prevention efforts to help Montanans recognize the warning signs of suicide, know how to offer hope to someone in crisis, and know how to effectively get help.
If you are interested in riding, volunteering, or sponsoring, you can contact Dog Tag Buddies by email (abigail@dogtagbuddies.org), phone (406-969-1227), or by visiting the event website (www.dogtagbuddies.org/ridefortomorrow). To request a group QPR training, please email dbaker@dogtagbuddies.org, or visit the webpage dogtagbuddies.org/qpr-training.
Everyone has a role in suicide prevention, and we're speaking up. We hope you join us.