Ride for Vets Corporation is a registered public charity under IRS section 501(c)(3), established in 2024, and created with a mission to support U.S. veterans and their families through awareness and fundraising. The organization focuses its efforts on raising money for nationally recognized veteran-focused nonprofits which provide critical services such as mental health support, housing assistance, and care for wounded service members and their families. By rallying communities and individuals around a shared cause, Ride for Vets aims to make a lasting impact on the lives of those who’ve sacrificed so much for our country. 

The charity was founded by Brett Littrell, a passionate advocate for veterans and an avid cyclist. His latest journey—a cross-country and back bicycle ride—is more than just a physical challenge; it’s a powerful symbol of commitment and perseverance in honor of our nation’s heroes. Through this adventure, Brett hopes to bring national attention to the needs of veterans and inspire others to contribute. “I’ve always believed in honoring those who put everything on the line for our freedom,” Brett shares. “Starting this charity was my way of turning that belief into real action.”

The mission is to raise funds and awareness for multiple high-impact veteran-focused organizations across the country. Ride for Vets Corporation’s Board of Directors receive no compensation for their time. This allows all of the donated funds to go directly to veteran services.

Ride for Vets carefully identifies deserving veteran candidates and develops tailored support plans to meet their unique needs. While we’re proud of what we can offer directly, we also understand the importance of collaboration. That’s why we partner with trusted organizations to expand the scope and depth of our impact.

By combining our hands-on support with the specialized resources of other veteran-focused charities, we provide a truly holistic approach to care—ensuring our veterans receive more than just one form of assistance. Together, we can deliver comprehensive solutions, including housing support, accessibility modifications, family services, medical treatment, and assistance with daily living—such as the use of trained service dogs.

There are many compelling reasons to support Ride for Vets—not just for the direct assistance we provide, but for the broader network of care we activate. When you donate, you’re not simply funding a single initiative. You’re joining a mission to transform veterans’ lives from every angle.

Here’s how your support makes a powerful, far-reaching difference:

1. We Amplify Impact
Your donation does more than fund one cause. Ride for Vets channels support to a network of vetted organizations, creating a broader and more resilient impact.

2. We Do the Vetting For You
Not all charities are equally effective. Ride for Vets carefully selects and monitors the organizations we support to ensure your donation reaches programs with strong financial stewardship and measurable results.

3. We Bring the Story to Life
Through our on-the-road content, videos, and community outreach, Ride for Vets raises visibility for causes that often lack marketing resources. We tell the stories that matter—and connect donors to real people and outcomes.

4. We Reach Donors Other Charities Might Miss
Many of our supporters find us through cycling events, social media, and veteran networks—spaces that small charities may not have access to. Ride for Vets bridges that gap.

5. One Donation. Multiple Impacts.
Rather than choosing between charities, Ride for Vets gives you a single path to support several vital initiatives—from mental health and housing to job training and emergency support.

Transparency and Trust
Ride for Vets publishes annual reports and provides transparency on fund distribution. You’ll always know where your money is going—and who it’s helping.

Join the Mission
Your sponsorship or donation isn’t just a gift—it’s a statement. A commitment to standing with veterans, and to empowering the mission-driven organizations that serve them.

Why I Ride

Seeking a Path with Heart

A Mission of Gratitude and Grit

This ride isn’t about setting records or checking off a bucket list—it’s about doing something that matters. At this point in my life, I’ve come to believe that the most meaningful journeys are the ones that come from the heart. And for me, this is exactly that: a path with heart.

I come from a long line of military service. My grandfather was badly injured in World War I. A family member gave their life in World War II. My father served in the Korean War. I’ve served myself. And now, my son proudly carries on that tradition. This ride is my way of honoring all of them—and every other veteran who has put their life on the line for our country.

As I cross the country, I’ll be thinking about the sacrifices our veterans and their families have made—the deployments, the physical wounds, the emotional toll, and the quiet strength they carry every day. I know that whatever discomfort I feel on this ride—whether it’s exhaustion, isolation, or pain—it doesn’t begin to compare to what they’ve endured.

That’s what keeps me going.

This challenge is big. It’s demanding. It’s hard on purpose. I’ll be traveling completely unsupported—carrying all my own supplies, cooking gear, and sleeping equipment. The route I’ve chosen is the most difficult one I could find, taking me over the Rocky Mountains at 13,800 feet and through 2,500 miles of desert.

So why now?

Because I finally can. Life has seasons, and for years, my time was devoted to work, raising a family, and fulfilling other responsibilities. But now, I have the freedom, the health, and the clarity of purpose to do something I’ve dreamed about for a long time. I didn’t want to wait any longer. I want to use the time I have now to do something that truly matters—to make an impact for those who’ve given so much.

I welcome the struggle. Because in every mile, there’s purpose.

I ride to raise awareness. I ride to raise support. I ride to say, in the clearest way I know how: Thank you. We see you. We’re with you.

This is my way of giving back. This is my path with heart.

Riding Since 1992

A Lifetime on Two Wheels

Brett’s Cycling Journey

Brett’s cross-country ride may be his most ambitious cycling challenge yet—but it’s far from his first. His love for the open road began over three decades ago and has been a defining part of his life ever since.

He began riding seriously in 1992, during a period when he was living in Germany. There, the bicycle wasn’t just a mode of transportation—it became a way of life. Whether commuting to daily obligations or embarking on weekend adventures, Brett explored the country on two wheels, experiencing Europe in a way that few others do.

Some of his most memorable rides include:

• Traveling from Gießen (West Germany) to Magdeburg (East Germany), deep into the former Deutsche Demokratische Republik and back; approximately 440 miles.

• Riding from Gießen all the way to Munich and back; approximately 550 miles.

• Participating in the Bike MS 150, a two-day ride to raise money for multiple sclerosis research.

• Long-distance rides in 2022 to Monument, Colorado and back (approximately 1,370 miles), and in 2023 from his home all the way to St. George, Utah and back (approximately 2,760 miles).

Incredibly, Brett has logged over 50,000 miles—on a single bicycle. Each of those miles represents not just his physical dedication, but his adventurous spirit and unshakable resolve.

Now, with Ride for Vets, Brett brings that same passion and perseverance to a cause that is close to his heart—supporting veterans. This ride is the next chapter in a lifelong cycling journey, and one that carries a mission far greater than personal achievement.