Comment
Print
On Saturday, June 1st, from 4pm to 10pm, almost 70 bikers and friends showed up for a benefit poker run. It was sponsored by Gregory’s Original Restaurant in Rutherfordton. It was all for and about the kids!
The kids were those of Rutherford Spindale Youth Football and Cheerleading Association (RSYFCA). The program is a “age and weight protected” youth football league. Their pride is to be able to offer every child in the community an equal opportunity to play youth football as well as cheerleading.
That’s what the poker run on Saturday was all about. To raise money for the kids football and the cheerleaders. The program benefits children ages 5 to 12 and all games are played in Rutherford County, enabling parents, grandparents and friends to follow the teams. The league is entirely volunteer and non-profit. Registration is very reasonable at just $25. However, since its inception in 2001 no child had ever been denied. All are welcomed and accepted.
The registration for the poker run was at East Coast Cycles with the first bike out at 10am and the last bike in was at Gregory’s Original in Rutherfordton. The fundraiser ended with a big “thank you” party which was in the parking lot in front of the restaurant. It featured two bands, “Twist Of Fate” and “Lonesome Road”. It was a “feel good” event which showed the community the true dedication of bikers and the good they do. In addition, the concert was free and open to the public. It brought out over 300 people! Indicative of the bikers commitment in this story. During the live auction held in between the bands performing, a kids genuine Harley-Davidson leather jacket donated by East Coast Cycles came up for bid. It was won twice by two different bikers who paid their $60 bids and donated the jacket back to the auctioneer. It was thereby auctioned off not once, but three times and ended up getting $160 total from the fundraiser. It was a great display of the bikers community spirit.
The most important part of the day was raising money for the kids. Equipment and uniforms need to be purchased and at the end of the day, $1566 was raised through the bikers poker run and silent auction. Greg Hayes said he was most appreciative of the turnout. “When we all come together for the benefit of our community, every effort is not only good, but great. I’m always very pleased to do whatever I can and feel privileged to be a part of this. After all, it’s all about the kids! “
The organizer for the fundraiser was Rick Rhom. He helped plan and coordinate all functions for this community giving event. It is always rewarding to see the caring of our community when they all come together to do some good. Rick further stated that the event was such an overwhelming success that it will now become an annual event. Our congratulations to Gregory Hayes, Rick Rhom and all the bikers who participated and made this very special poker run be such a success.
