Last year, nearly 50 bikes were delivered to underprivileged children in the Wyoming Valley thanks to participants in the Bikes for Tykes Poker Run.
This past weekend saw record-breaking flood levels and so many people who lost so much. My own family was hit by the disaster in Bloomsburg.
“Well, there will be a lot less for this Christmas,” my sister, Sue Berlin, commented.
I’m sure that sentiment is shared by many people. Who can even think of Christmas when there is so much cleaning up to do right now?
What I have seen in the past few days is an overwhelming outpouring of care and concern for our neighbors. People opened their homes to evacuees, volunteers helped to deliver supplies and so many other wonderful expressions of kindness in a time of great despair and fear.
Following on the heels of this will be the 4th Annual Bikes for Tykes Poker Run sponsored by the Wyoming Valley Motorcycle Club (WVMC). For the past three years, this run has bought bicycles for underprivileged children in the Wyoming Valley. This year, I expect that there will be many more youngsters who won’t be expecting much under their tree.
Last year, close to 50 bikes were delivered to needy children thanks to the approximately 170 riders. This year, we need a lot more riders willing to give up a morning for the Sunday, Sept. 18 ride, plus a donation of $15 per rider and $10 per passenger.
This poker run is in memory of WVMC member “Big George” Thompson, who was noted for his heart of gold and always helping kids. I’m sure that if he were still here with us, he’d be out there working with all of the other scores of volunteers out there now. And this poker run is one event that guarantees that at least some small number of children will have a smile on their faces on Christmas morning.
Registration for Sunday’s ride is from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. The ride begins at Dukey’s Cafe (785 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Wilkes-Barre) and stops at Murphy’s Pub (347 Slocum St., Swoyersville), Joey’s Joint (59 Plymouth Street, Edwardsville), Tommy Boy’s Bar & Grill (10 Broadway St., Nanticoke) before ending at Good Fellos Food & Spirits (1901 Route 315, Pittston). At the end of the run, there will be a cash bar, drink specials, hors d’oeuvres, a 50/50 drawing and live music from Better with Beer.
Hopefully we’ve had enough rain, and the day will be bright, warm and great for riding. There may be some adjustments to the routes you are used to taking because of flood damage. If there are any changes of note, they will be made at the registration point. I know that bikers have the biggest and softest hearts of all, so a little road detour won’t keep you away! The more bikes that show up for the ride, the more bikes can be delivered to the children of the Wyoming Valley.
So please consider riding in this poker run on Sunday.
Many people are looking for ways to help out doing the cleanup from the recent flood and evacuation. There are many organizations working diligently to help the residents of this area that are looking for volunteers and supplies, so you may not know how to help. Please consider contacting the Red Cross. Its webpage lists Wayne Wolfe, director of staffing and volunteer services, as a contact. He can be reached at 570.823.7161, ext. 324 or wolfew@usa.redcross.org.
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