DANVILLE — Some 500 motorcycles will leave the Friendly Tavern on South Street on Saturday for its annual poker run.

While this is the 11th poker run since Mike and Ruth Sullivan became owners of the tavern, it will be the fifth year since the tavern and the Danville Firefighters Association have joined forces to put on one of the premier poker runs in Vermilion County.

“We had been doing the poker run with friends and customers helping us out,” Ruth Sullivan said. “But in 2004, the firefighters approached us about hosting a poker run for them.”

Justin Watt, a Danville firefighter and the event coordinator for the poker run, said it the motorcycle accident of Donnie McMasters, another Danville firefighter, that caused the collaboration.

“Donnie and I being motorcycle riders thought a poker run would be a great way to raise money,” Watt said. “We chose the Friendly because Mike Sullivan is a retired firefighter.”

“Just as we were planning our first poker run,” Watt said. “Donnie got hurt in a motorcycle accident.”

“So we basically told Mike and Ruth that we would provide the volunteers if they would run it,” explained Watt.

With that, the partnership has grown into a major charitable fundraiser for the area.

Since its inception the poker run has generated more than $45,000 that has went to charitable organizations such as Shop With A Cop, Make A Wish Foundation, MDA, The Family Readiness Group For Our Troops & Families, Faith In Action and last year’s recipient, Aunt Martha’s Health Clinic.

Watt said planning for the poker run takes a full year.

“We generally put out the word shortly after the current poker run is over,” Watt said. “We take applications from the organizations until January, and then we pick three finalists.”

“In January, we will interview representatives from the three chosen organizations,” he said. “Then in February we make our decision.”

This year funds generated by the poker run will go to the Danville Area Food Pantry.

“We felt that with the way the economy is and with the very urgent need at the food pantry for donations, it was the perfect choice,” Sullivan said.

The Danville Area Food Pantry was formed in 1982 to help meet the food needs of the unemployed in the area. It was collaboration between labor unions, churches and social service agencies. When the Food Pantry was first formed it was thought that it would be needed only on a short-term basis but the Food Pantry is serving more people today than any time in its past, according Sullivan.

“In addition to a cash donation from the poker run, the firefighters association and the Friendly Tavern will be awarding a great fun package,” explained Sullivan. “We will be accepting food donations at several locations and for each donation made the person will be entered into a drawing for a fun package.”

The fun package which is for four persons will consist of a limousine ride provided by KC Limousine Service to a wine tasting at Sleepy Creek Vineyard after which the package winner will receive two complimentary bottles of wine. After the wine tasting, the group will be taken to the Possum Trot for dinner.

“We think this is a great package just for the donation of some food items,” added Sullivan. “We want to thank the businesses that made the donations that allowed us to put the package together.”

The fun package will be awarded at 7 p.m. Saturday, and you do not have to be present to win.

Every year the event counts on numerous volunteers to insure that it runs smoothly. Last year 38 Danville firefighters and their spouses provided part of the volunteer force. Sullivan also credits her customers and some close friends for volunteering their time to help with the event.

“I have the same three women who help in making about 300 pounds of salad,” said Sullivan. “Also the firefighters will be cooking 350 pounds of pork butt.”

According to Sullivan, there were 411 motorcycles entered with 600 people attending. In 2007 there were 536 motorcycles registered and 700 people attending.

Sullivan said there are so many people to thank in helping out.

“The city of Danville is always very helpful as well as local businesses that donate to the event,” Sullivan added. “We also want to thank our customers for their loyal support that allows us to do this.”

Following the poker run, the band Kilbourn Alley will play in the Friendly Tavern parking lot.



TO REGISTER

Registration will be from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Friendly Tavern, 216 E. South St., or you may pre-register this week at the tavern. The cost is $15 a hand, which includes a meal.

Drop off food donations through Friday at All Source, 12076 U.S. Route 150, Oakwood; Big R Rent All, 217 S. Bowman Ave.; Carmack Car Capitol, 3724 N. Vermilion St.; and Friendly Tavern, 216 E. South St., Danville; and Wednesday through Friday at the County Market at Towne Centre.