Saturday afternoon, friends, family and hundreds of local bikers gathered to help support 22-year-old Nathan Schaming

One of those participants was Kenny Butler, who lost his own son in Iraq.

He visited Schaming two weeks ago at Walter Reed Medical Center and he told NEWS9 that it was the second hardest thing he's seen in his life.

Motorcyclists from across the Ohio Valley joined together at Hopedale Legion Club to raise money to help Schaming.

"We couldn't think of a better cause other than to donate to Nathan Schaming and his family," said Corey Johnston, event coordinator.

But despite the hardship Schaming is faced with, Butler knows the young soldier still has a bright future.

"When you go out the door of the hospital, you see a lot of veterans that are with no legs and running so there's a lot of hope," said Butler.

Event organizers tell NEWS9 nearly 250 bikers rode in honor of Schaming.