By: Susan Martin
Meals on Wheels in Anderson, South Carolina serves the community daily by feeding the elderly and disabled. Lake Hartwell boaters have an opportunity to help Meals on Wheels with that mission of serving people by participating in the annual Meals on Wheels Poker Run.
“The Poker Run is our largest fundraiser,” said April Cameron, Community Relations Coordinator for Meals on Wheels. “Last year’s event was a record-breaking fundraiser bringing in nearly $40,000 for us. Each meal we prepare for our recipients costs $4.”
The poker run is scheduled for June 19th and 20th at Portman Marina.
“One of the best benefits for participants is just a great day of fun on the lake,” Cameron said. “If you are a boat or water enthusiast, this is the kind of event for you. Additionally, there are some very nice boats that participate. We have boats that are several hundred thousands of dollars participate. It’s a sight any boat lover would want to see.”
Meals on Wheels has been coordinating the poker run for 11 years.
“It is a great way to do your part in giving back to the community while still having a great time,” Cameron said. “You can know that the dollars you spend on registration fees and such will support Meals on Wheels, an organization that serves the elderly population of our community.”
“We have some very valuable committee members that help make this event such a success,” Cameron said. “Todd Campbell with Campbell Crane Rental, Doug Curry with Verizon and Terry Young with SnapOn Tools are very dedicated to the Poker Run and to Meals on Wheels. We certainly wouldn’t be able to host the event without the sponsors who support it.”
This year, vendors will showcase and sell items on Friday and Saturday during the event. Three vendors will serve food Friday night and throughout the day and evening Saturday.
“You should block off the entire weekend for this event,” Cameron said. “Friday, June 19 is the fun run beginning at 11 a.m. at Portman Marina. Open registration will begin at 5 p.m. on Friday evening. Saturday morning, registration and packet pick up begins at 9 a.m. and boats leave from Portman around 10 a.m. We then invite everyone back for the after-event party.”
Cameron said people from all over participate in this event.
“We had 172 boats enter last year’s Poker Run,” she said. “We have lots of local participants. We also have had guests from Kentucky, Texas, Georgia, Florida and other states.”
Participants register their boat with Meals on Wheels.
“Each boat registration gets one hand,” Cameron said. “They may purchase as many additional hands as they want to play. There are five designated locations on the lake, and the boaters travel to each location to get a token. This token represents a card. The last stop is Portman Marina, and when they dock their boats, they turn in their tokens. A dealer will draw their five cards for each token they have picked up along the way and whoever ends up with the best poker hand wins.”
“On Friday, June 19th , we will host a boat fun run where we invite our registered participants to meet at Portman Marina about 11 a.m. and take a ride over to Clemson Marina for lunch and a nice afternoon of sun and fun. Friday night, we host a street party with a live band at Portman Marina. Saturday, after the poker run, there is another party and a live auction with amazing items. It is a full weekend of fun.”
To participate, register on the Meals on Wheels website, www.acmow.org or call the office at 864-225-6800.
