MANSFIELD – It had been 3,661 days since Adam Sandoval’s last visit to Hale’s Harley-Davidson.
The 49-year-old motorcycle influencer and philanthropist returned to Mansfield on Friday afternoon as part of the Great American Convoy.
It was an event partnered with Harley-Davidson and the Wounded Warrior Project to raise awareness and money for veterans across the country. Sandoval has visited more than 120 Harley-Davidson dealerships along the way.
For Sandoval, the biggest changes since June 24, 2016 – the day of his last local visit – have come in his own life.
“The last time I came here, I was essentially homeless,” Sandoval said. “I was eating off scraps, sleeping behind gas stations next to my bike (and) in a very bad situation financially.
“Now, with social media and YouTube, I’ve started multiple businesses, partnered with lots of big companies and created a successful career,” Sandoval said. “One thing has never changed and that’s my dedication to donating my time and money to help and raise money for veterans.”
Sandoval’s philanthropy began in 2014. His passion for long-distance motorcycle rides and regret for never having served in the U.S. military inspired his first convoy.
Scootin America was a more than 80,000 mile trip across the U.S. He crisscrossed the nation six times, generating hundreds of thousands of dollars.
He didn’t do it alone. In addition to the countless supporters who donated to Scootin America, Sandoval’s co-pilot, dog and the convoy’s namesake, a chihuahua named Scooter, came with him.
Sandoval’s partnership with the Wounded Warrior Project has been a natural fit, given his admiration for the organization’s cause.
“(Wounded Warrior Project) has a team that works hard to not only provide and find the right programs that are going to make a difference, but also to get into the community and find the veterans that need help,” Sandoval said.
“A lot of times, these veterans that need help don’t come up and ask for it. It takes somebody with a certain skill set … to get out into the communities, find those people, and get them signed up to get the help that they need,” he said.
Sandoval’s event at Hale’s Harley-Davidson was his 1,000th charity event for veterans. He’s raised morea $1 million for the Wounded Warrior Project on the Great American Convoy alone, with friends and followers from all over the country riding along and pitching in.
Sandoval raised $7,013 for the Wounded Warrior Project at Hale’s Harley-Davidson. The motorcycle dealer, located at 1400 Harrington Memorial Road, donated $1,500 of the total.
“Veterans need to know that there are a lot of people who care,” Sandoval said. “There’s a lot of people out there who want to support them.
“From my perspective … as long as you got a good cause and you stay true to it and you keep everything above the table, it doesn’t matter. People will come out, they will help you, they will support you, and you can make a difference,” he said.
Sandoval’s convoy has 10 more stops on its trip. His next stop will be in Napoleon, Ohio, with stops in Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin following. He’ll end the convoy at Milwaukee Harley-Davidson.
Sandoval’s initial goal for the Great American Convoy was to raise $1 million. After far surpassing that amount, Sandoval has a new goal.
“Just keep riding,” he said.
