my first annual poker run benefitting suicide awareness and prevention was a huge success. there was 68 people registered with 45 motorcycles. the ride was 104 miles and 5 stops.the owners and staff at all the stops were very kind. and the establishments were great.my special thanks go out to everyone who helped me get this ride together, including special thanks to jeff and tina russell,doug and katie webb, joe angello,and tom and karen matters.jeff and doug laid out the route, katie was in charge of keeping all the donations straight and organizing the staff for the registration table. tina is a great friend that kept my restaurant opened for me and made me lots of money while i was out on the ride, on her husband jeff's bike. tom and karen matters made the food and served it after the ride was completed.they had help from mary and lyle knopp.mary made several desert bars. my friend heidi made an excellent pasta salad.and then of course we had smiling joe bartending. joe also donated a beautiful hand-made harley clock for the raffle.i love you guys so much for all your help. i can never thank you enough. after the expenses were repaid for food and the first and second place prize, i was able to earn $1632.00 for the cause. i am very pleased with this. and each year will get better, i'm sure, as fun was had by all. i would also like to thank my daughter crystal as she took the initiative to put up a cannister at her job and collected $138.00

 this is the custom flag i made with help from mary, after i ironed the poem transfer on upside down. it had to be cut apart and sewed together individually. but it turned out great!!

I had 84 shirts made up,and donated them to all the riders and most of the people that worked the event as well. We looked good!!!! 

This is my friend Lenny being blessed by Pastor Wesley White.

 

 

BRANDON 1992

My daughter Crystal and myself, Karen

                                          

this is the logo i designed for the front of the t-shirts the riders and staff wore.i also had 2 dozen hats made up for the raffle with the same logo and them.the picture below is the logo mark hamilton, owner of hammy wearables designed for the back of the t-shirts.they were carolina blue, brandon's favorite color and favorite college basketball team.

 

                 BEST POKER HAND PRIZE WINNERS

1ST PLACE WITH 3 SEVENS      $100.00

TODD STROTHENKE OF MILWAUKEE

2ND PLACE WITH 2 PAIR/ACES AND QUEENS

SANDY LYSAGHT OF ILLINOIS   $50.00

3RD PLACE WITH 2 PAIR  $20 GIFT CERTIFICATE FOR EMPTY PLATTERS CAFE  ANN CUNNINGHAM 

This is the banner made up by the local miller distributor. All was good until we got a rain storm and it washed away. Next year, an outdoors style.

                           The Balloon Bouquet

 

Pastor White speaking about the blessing. I was quite impressed when I watched the video taken how everyone was actually paying attention to what he was saying. God knows we can all use a little prayer.

 

Jeff, Doug, and Tom displaying the flag just before attaching it to the flagpole on Jeff's bike.

 

Lorraine,Joe, and Tom working the food counter and bar. Jeff, my ride, looking in.

Jeff and Myself getting ready to take off for the ride. Travis is on the right bike with Shanda.

           

THIS IS THE SUICIDE MEMORIAL WALL THAT OUR PROCEEDS HELP BUILD IN COLUMBIA TENNESSEE.