Poker Run benefits local children
Members of the Flat Broke Riders hosted a poker run to benefit local children. The event was held on Saturday, Sept. 16 with the Army Navy as the beginning and end location.
COSHOCTON – The Flat Broke Riders Club of Coshocton hosted its first benefit poker run on Saturday, Sept. 16. The first motorcycle left at 11 a.m. from the Army Navy on Walnut Street and all riders had to return by 6 p.m. The cost was $10 per rider and cars were welcome to join the fun.
Craig Bolitho, of Canal Lewisville, was the first person to sign up for the event.
“This is the first poker run I’ve ever done,” he said. “It’s a nice day and I wanted to go for a ride, so I thought I’d come here and try it.”
Bolitho said he wanted to support the local kids and that if he happened to win the poker hand, he would be donating the winnings back to the benefit.
Riders signed up that day and were given information about the stops they would be making on the route.
“We don’t give them a definite route,” said Jesse Conrad, President of the Flat Broke Riders. “Riders can go anyway they want. We just tell them where each stop is located. It’s about 110 miles to make the ride.”
There were stops in Newark, Zanesville, Thornville and Dresden. At each stop, participants were given a playing card, including one at the Army Navy. When all riders returned, the person with the best poker hand won 25 percent of the rider fund. Every person who signed up for the ride was also entered into a raffle drawing for several door prizes.
“All the raffle prizes were donated to us,” said Conrad. “The Army Navy donated the place and food and both bands are donating their time tonight. We really appreciate all the help we’ve gotten. We (the Flat Broke Riders) wanted to something fun and also to help others. We thought about veterans, but there were other benefits for them, so we decided to help kids.”
The club plans to use the funds to purchase clothes for kids who need them, especially coats or shoes.
“This has been a learning experience for me and I think we’ll be planning our next benefit right after the first of the year,” said Conrad.
The Flat Broke Riders are hoping to build this into a large annual event.
“Most of the club members are family guys and we want to be a good example to our kids,” said Conrad. “Helping kids is a great way to do that and it helps our community, too.”
Chris and Stacey Graham, Coshocton, also came to the poker run. Chris said he has known Jesse Conrad for many years and wanted to support the benefit. Stacy said they do lots of poker runs, often one every weekend, and make a day of the event. They plan to stay for the concerts in the evening. “Tyndal Creek” and “Crackerslang” provided entertainment in the evening. Anyone could attend the concerts for a $5 donation that would also go towards helping children.
Category: Clubs & Organizations
