Poker run still going strong

Times Reporter     

 

For the past 14 years members of the bike community have gathered together to participate in a good cause aimed at helping kids.  The Strathmore Poker Run was an idea sparked by Matt Janzen. 

The first year of the Poker Run, Janzen raised approximately $800. In the first few years the money initially went to ChildFind Canada and The Children’s Wish Foundation. The record year for the Strathmore Poker Run was in 2011 when they raised $21,600. 

Unfortunately Janzen has not been able to see how well his initiative has grown. He passed away from cancer in 2003.

“He’s the one that started the Poker Run and then after he died we went strictly to kid cancer because he was a cancer survivor himself, for a while, and he was affected by the children he’d seen in the hospital. After he became ill (again) we made a decision that we’d carry on without him…and once he passed on we just took it,” said Sandy Scobie, current president of the Strathmore Poker Run committee. 

Since 2003 the Poker Run has raised over $135,000 for Kids Cancer Care of Alberta. The Poker Run consists of a ride through surrounding communities gathering cards to build a poker hand. Then there is a party, dinner and concert that evening. On the Sunday there is a bike rodeo with a keg toss, barrel races and other bike rodeo style events. There will be silent and live auctions and two bands performing throughout the weekend. 

One year participants of the Poker Run had a chance to meet a young boy who they had directly helped. His parents had brought him out to meet everyone and Scobie remembers he wanted to sit on the red motorcycle.

“To directly see what our hard work does and the raising of the money, that’s fulfilling. Raising money for Kids Cancer is the most satisfying thing I have ever done,” said Scobie. 

This year’s event brings with it a chance to win $10,000 for the poker hand. There will be a chance to enter into a trip give away at one of the stops on the poker run, and much more.  

“We’re hoping for the nice weather. We’re excited this year because we get to stay one more night too because of the long weekend,” said Scobie.

The Strathmore Poker run T-Shirts this year will have the Canada flag on the back, since the run is happening over the Canada Day weekend. 

June 28 at 6 p.m. is the head shave at the King Eddy, and Scobie said two local girls will be getting their heads shaved. Registration for the Poker Run starts at 9 a.m. at the Strathmore Station on June 29. Anyone looking to sponsor or donate can contact Sandy Scobie at 403-901-4021.