BULLHEAD CITY — A local motorcycle club’s poker run for veterans came up all hearts.
A total of 178 riders participated in the Men of Fire Northwest Arizona Chapter 6 motorcycle poker run in April, raising $7,000 to benefit local veterans.
“Great rider participation made it possible for us to raise the money to help local veterans through the River Fund,” said Ryan Granath, Men of Fire NW Chapter 6 president.
Granath decided not to tell Mike Conner, president of River Fund, Inc., the amount of the donation until the check presentation on Tuesday.
“I’m overwhelmed,” Conner said. “I had no idea they’d raised so much. The fund for veterans is a new fund for us and is something local vets have needed for a long time. The money will do a lot of good and will be used exclusively for veterans in the Tri-state.“
There was more good news.
“Additionally, the Tropicana Laughlin is working with us to do another poker run in partnership with the VFW Riders in November,” Granath said. “The proceeds from that event will also go to the veterans fund at River Fund.”
“It’s unbelievable,” Conner said.
“River Fund is a great community fund for Tri-state veterans,” said Jim Smith, Men of Fire vice president. “And our veterans deserve all the help we can give them.”
River Fund, Inc., is a local nonprofit agency providing direct emergency and crisis services for individuals and families in Bullhead City, Laughlin, Fort Mohave and Mohave Valley. Since its beginning in 2010, River Fund has provided assistance to nearly 6,000 local families.
The need for services for veterans from the River Fund has grown rapidly the past few years, Conner said.
“It’s not a veteran needing help from time to time anymore, we’re seeing vets who need help every week.”
“Last year’s inaugural poker run benefited the Wounded Warrior Project,” Granath said. “When it came time to decide the beneficiary of this year’s proceeds, we decided to stay with helping veterans and to keep the money local.”
“The Men of Fire are really grateful to everyone who came out to be involved in the poker run,” said Smith. “We’d especially like to thank our sponsors, Amvets Post 19, California Harley-Davidson Dealers Association, the River Dog Grill, Lazy Harry’s Bar & Grill, Hooch’s 95 Bar & Grill, Topock 66, River Front Cafe & Cocktails, Old Town Saloon, Farmers Insurance, and poker run sponsor Russ Brown Motorcycle Attorneys. Special thanks go to volunteers, the VFW Riders.”