By Laura Pitts
Each year, tens of thousands of automotive enthusiasts descend upon Las Vegas, eager to witness the latest innovations, industry trends and new products from the automotive aftermarket at the SEMA Show (this year taking place November 4-8, 2025).
Those in attendance may not immediately recognize that, among the halls and aisles of exhibits and builds, there's also a growing movement to highlight the profound impact of the automotive world that extends year-round. Enter SEMA Cares, the charitable arm of the SEMA that plays a crucial role in supporting children's charities. And thanks to an unexpected journey last year, its mission is now gaining even more visibility.
Custom vehicle builder Greg Henderson is known within the automotive community for his creativity and craftsmanship. His company, Unofficial Use Only in Lennon, Michigan, specializes in one-of-a-kind builds, often pushing the limits of engineering and design, many of them making their way to the SEMA Show floor for display. Last year, however, rather than debuting a new project at SEMA, Henderson embarked on something entirely different--a 2,200-mile cross-country journey on a tiny 50cc moped to raise money for SEMA Cares.
An Unforgettable Ride for a Worthy Cause
The idea for the ride originated during an episode of the Jeep Talk Show podcast, a show created by Tony Muckleroy all about Jeeps that often sees Henderson in the host seat discussing his passions. At the time, Henderson was sharing how dejected he was that he wouldn't have a build on the SEMA Show floor in 2024 due to unforeseen circumstances.
"I was lamenting, and somebody made a joke about--because the road to SEMA every year can be fraught with issues--[how funny it would be] if somebody would 'Dumb and Dumber' it across the country. And as soon as that joke was made, we started hatching a plan. I had a little moped, and I told the guys on the podcast, hey, if anybody else wants to do it with me, we'll do it. And another gentleman, Roger Modrow (of Wraith Trucking LLC), immediately spoke up and said, well, I'll buy one tomorrow,'" said Henderson.
So, what started as a joke about taking the "hard road" to SEMA soon turned into a full-fledged initiative to cross the country from Lennon, Michigan, to Las Vegas, Nevada, in one of the most challenging ways possible: via a moped powered by a 50cc engine topping 30 mph across four days. But before departing, Henderson had a great idea: What if he could use his journey to raise awareness for a good cause? So, he reached out to a contact at SEMA, and that's when he learned about SEMA Cares. [Editor's Note: If you are interested in all that SEMA has to offer or want to help support a good cause, there is always someone to connect with! Contact Project Manager Recognition Programs Joe Escobar at josee@sema.org or Director of Individual Membership AJ Carney at ajc@sema.org.]
"I've been to every SEMA Show since 2014, and I didn't know that SEMA Cares existed. Because when you're on the floor at SEMA, you're looking at all the amazing vehicles and talking to amazing people. I even became a SEMA individual member (now known as SEMA+) and joined the SEMA Truck and Off-Road Alliance (TORA) a few years ago, and I still didn't realize all that SEMA offers," said Henderson. "What I learned that day is that SEMA Cares accepts donations year-round that go to children in need in different ways."
It's true: SEMA Cares, whose motto is "Every child deserves to pursue happiness," unites the voice and resources of the aftermarket industry to make a positive difference in young lives (learn more about the charitable arm of SEMA and how you can help below).
"SEMA is so much more than the coolest car show in the world. And most people might not realize it," Henderson continued.
With SEMA Cares in mind, Henderson and Modrow were off to Vegas, using social media to help collect donations online and in person along the way. The ride had its share of challenges--including the occasional need to load the scooters into a truck for safety.
"When it wasn't safe to be on the side of the road doing 30 miles an hour, we'd load up. We did this one night in Michigan and later in Kansas when going through the mountains," Henderson said. "The mountains were pretty bad. There were times when we weren't going faster than 10 miles per hour because the grade was too steep. And we almost made it to the pass, but we couldn't go over it. We actually spoke with an officer, asked him if it was okay for us to ride the shoulder of the freeway--he said absolutely not, of course. You're not allowed on the interstate with 50 ccs. So, the alternative was adding 340 miles on our trip to gain 7 miles of actual distance, or load up the truck," Henderson shared.
Despite the roadblocks, their mission remained clear: get to the SEMA Show as creatively as possible and raise money for a good cause.
"We only stopped for fuel, so our stops were rapid. But when we did engage with the public, it was always amazing; always 100% positive. You got to imagine you're cruising through Vail (Colorado), and there's an active snowstorm, and you're both riding on scooters; you get attention," Henderson laughed.
By the time the duo reached Las Vegas, their trip had captured the attention of the SEMA community, especially after the two mopeds were put on display in a special vendor area with a QR code for on-site donations. All in all, the Unofficial Ride to SEMA raised $2,100, proving that spontaneous ideas can make a meaningful difference in the world.
"I've built a lot of vehicles for SEMA over the years, but this time, riding a scooter across the country ended up being one of the most rewarding experiences of my career," Henderson shared.
Henderson is looking to recreate his Unofficial Road to SEMA in 2025--just with more time to plan. "If we could get 10 times our 2024 donation amount, I'd be thrilled!" Henderson said. For those interested in participating in the Unofficial Ride to SEMA 2025, contact Henderson at greg@unofficialuseonly.com.
Why SEMA Cares Deserves More Attention
Despite being an integral arm of the SEMA organization, SEMA Cares often flies under the radar compared to the high-energy spectacle of the SEMA Show itself. SEMA Cares supports the Austin Hatcher Foundation for pediatric cancer, Childhelp for the prevention and treatment of child abuse and the Victory Junction camp for children with serious medical conditions and illnesses. Established in 2007, SEMA Cares steers the dedication and passion of the industry to the kind care of children and others in need.
By sharing Henderson's Unofficial Road to SEMA story, SEMA encourages more industry professionals and enthusiasts to get involved with SEMA Cares, whether through donations, future fundraisers or spreading awareness of its mission. Learn more at sema.org/sema-cares or submit a direct SEMA Cares donation online here ($10 minimum).
For more information on SEMA Cares, contact Project Manager Recognition Programs Joe Escobar at josee@sema.org. For more information on SEMA+ (formerly SEMA Individual Membership), contact Director of Membership AJ Carney at ajc@sema.org.
This article includes contributions from Michael Imlay.