Rain or shine, Marines will raise money for Toys for Tots

 

By JEAN L. KAESS

Rain or shine, the Marine Corps League St. Mary Detachment is holding its annual Toys for Tots Poker Run Saturday at Daiquiri & Company in Morgan City.

Proceeds from the event benefit the local Toys for Tots campaign.

Toys for Tots coordinator Bill Goessl said regardless of the possibility for rain, the ride will go on. If there is too much rain for riders, Goessl said they can come in a car and ride the route that way. If not, then participants can meet at 1 p.m. for the activities planned to follow the poker run.

“Rain, sleet, snow, we’re still going to be there. If they bring their car instead of their bike, I’m going to be tickled pink that they came,” Goessl said, adding that sponsorships have been slow this year.

“We need everyone we can get,” he said. 

Registration is $20 per biker and $15 per rider plus an unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots. Walk-in registration will be held from 7 to 9 a.m. the day of the event at Daiquiri & Company, in the Eastgate Shopping Center, where the poker run begins at 9 a.m. and ends at 1 p.m.

All registered participants receive free café au lait, beignet breakfast and barbecue lunch. Prize money will be awarded for first to third place and worst hand. Participants must be 18 or older to win prize money.

Live music will be provided from 1 p.m. to 1 a.m. following the poker run.

For a registration form, email jdugas@atvci.net or for poker run information call 985-384-3446 or 985-518-4282.

Held in conjunction with the poker run is a Toys for Tots barbecue dinner. Dinners are $8 and consist of barbecued chicken, pulled pork and sausage, rice dressing, barbecued beans and cole slaw.

The meal will be available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Eastgate Shopping Center parking lot. Advance tickets are being sold. For tickets email jdugas@atvci.net or contact any St. Mary Detachment member.