Riders from across B.C. rode for a cause on Sunday, Sept. 1 in the inaugural BC & Alberta Guide Dogs Motorcycle Poker Run, raising essential funds for guide dog, autism support dog and PTSD service dog programs.
Participants played a charity poker game by riding to five partnering Royal Canadian Legion branches and drawing a playing card at each one, finishing with a complete hand at the end of the run.
The ride started at Ladner Legion with a pancake breakfast. Volunteers and service dogs in training greeted the riders at each stop and distributed snacks donated by Tsawwassen Thrifty Foods.
Radio sponsor Rock 101 welcomed everyone back to the finish line celebration at the Tsawwassen Legion with music and gifts, and the riders enjoyed a barbecue lunch and Dilly Bars courtesy of Ladner Dairy Queen.
Riders also listened to military veteran Matty Thornley speak about how PTSD service dog Monty enabled him to transition back into his community.
“Monty and the Healthy Community Living Program offered by VICD helped me leave my house for the first time in almost two years,” said Thornley.
VICD, which stands for Vancouver Island Compassion Dogs, is now a division of BC & Alberta Guide Dogs, having amalgamated with the organization at the end of 2018.
A bagpipe performance from young pipers Evan Jamieson and Cameron Bonar served as a fanfare for the winners. The grand prize went to Jessica Coldwell with four sixes, followed by Mel Beaton with three aces and Colin Laurivier with three queens. Laurie Maitland won the losing hand prize with a smattering of lower valued cards.
BC & Alberta Guide Dogs CEO Bill Thornton was very pleased with the event.
“It was great to see so many new faces come out in support of our guide dog, autism support dog and PTSD service dog programs,” said Thornton. “To have this show of support for an event in its first year is wonderful. We’re very excited to bring the Motorcycle Poker Run back next year.”
BC & Alberta Guide Dogs would like to recognize the five Royal Canadian Legions for being the stops on the route: Ladner Legion Branch 61, Cloverdale Legion Branch 6, Aldergrove Legion Branch 265, Crescent Beach Legion Branch 240 and Tsawwassen Legion Branch 289. It would also like to thank sponsors Rock 101, Delta Optimist, IDEXPERTS, BC Fresh, Tsawwassen Thrifty Foods and Dairy Queen Ladner for their generous support.
