BROOKINGS Its that time of year again in Brookings when the rumble and roar of motorcycles parading through the city on Saturday will usher in the annual 727th DAV Poker Run.
The event, now in its 21st year, benefits the Disabled American Veterans Hospital Transportation Fund. There were more than 725 registrants at last years event, which raised $57,000 to help veterans get to their medical appointments in South Dakota. The annual event has brought in a total of $507,000 over a 20-year period.
Robert Foster, one of the poker runs organizers, is hopeful this year will be just as successful as past years.
Well, we always hope that we could at least obtain what we attained the year before, but you just never know the economy and that, he said. Weve been very fortunate that the people that partake in this event and are donors and sponsors have been so generous over the years. I would suspect that we shouldnt have too much trouble hopefully making that goal.
Registration, which costs $20 per person, begins at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Dacotah Bank Center, 824 32nd Ave., with the parade taking off at noon. It will roll down Sixth Street west to Main Avenue, where it will turn south as it heads out of Brookings and into nearby communities; namely, the Veterans of Foreign Wars posts in Flandreau and Madison, respectively, then the American Legion posts in Arlington and Estelline, respectively, before returning to the DBC in Brookings.
Those have gotten kind of established and grown with the event, Foster said of the poker runs stops. We wanted to keep the military veterans theme, (so) those are locked in as long as were doing the run.
Just a heads up on one factor, though: There might be a detour or two along the route because of road construction on state Highway 34 and U.S. Highway 81.
If riding for a worthy cause wasnt enough to attract participants, add in an extensive prize list as well, including $500 for the best poker hand. Other goodies include other cash prizes, computer tablets, earbuds, a Jack Daniels barrel head, a three-dimensional cutting board, blankets, quilts, hotel stays and more.
Foster estimates that around 700 people will register with this years event, which is on par with previous years. Last years event also had 897 poker hand donations, along with approximately 445 motorcycles and 16 to 20 other vehicles in the parade.
Naturally, the 727th DAVE Poker Run is a big event, and involves a lot of personnel to help keep it firing on all cylinders.
The group of people that we have involved putting this together and so forth put their heart and souls in it and try to make the best event possible for people to participate in and enjoy themselves and get together with camaraderie of each other and have a safe, fun day, Foster said. Its not possible without a I cant say enough about our sponsorships, donors, prize donors and monetary donors over the years from the Brookings community and the surrounding communities.
He finished, Its just been awesome, the support theyve given the (DAV) Hospital Transportation Network. It wouldnt be possible if it wasnt for all those folks participating in this event.
At the end of the day, though, it all comes down to one thing: veterans.
I just think its important that (people) understand that we do this to support making sure our brothers and sisters are taken care of as far as the health care needs that they need because of their service to this country, Foster said.
And, hey, if people want to get involved beyond Saturdays poker run, well, the opportunity is certainly there. How so? Well, Foster noted that the DAV Hospital Transportation Network could always use more volunteer drivers for its 26 vans in South Dakota.
If anybody has any free time and theyre looking to be a part of making a veterans day by helping them get to their VA appointments, I dont think theyd be disappointed at all in volunteering their time for that, Foster said.
He added that interested people can reach out to the DAV or their county service officers. In Brookings County, the Veterans Service Office can be reached at 605-696-8260. Matt Pillar is the veterans service officer, and he is available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. He can also be reached via email at [email protected].
They will help you out for you to volunteer your time, Foster said. Its just like when we do this event; when we present the check to the (DAV) at their fall conference the expression on those veterans faces and so forth that somebody is helping them out. Its just unbelievable the gratitude and appreciation that they have.
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