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Riding for the Troops: Lost Riders poker run Sept. 29 to benefit Wounded Warrior Project

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Held in support of the Wounded Warrior Project, The Lost Riders will be hosting a benefit poker run Saturday, Sept. 29, beginning at Harley Davidson of Fort Myers at 9 a.m., kickstands up at 11 a.m., and a five-stop poker run that’ll take riders all throughout Southwest Florida – Lehigh Acres, Fort Myers, North Fort Myers and Fort Myers Beach. Photo by MELISSA SCHNEIDER.

Held in support of the Wounded Warrior Project, The Lost Riders will be hosting a benefit poker run Saturday, Sept. 29, beginning at Harley Davidson of Fort Myers at 9 a.m., kickstands up at 11 a.m., and a five-stop poker run that’ll take riders all throughout Southwest Florida Lehigh Acres, Fort Myers, North Fort Myers and Fort Myers Beach.

“The Lost Riders is a local motorcycle group that put this poker run together, in support of The Wounded Warriors Project, which provides programs and services to severely injured service members during the time between active duty and transition to civilian life,” said Lena Neroni, Fort Myers Beach resident, local humanitarian and co-coordinator of the Fort Myers Beach segment of the poker run, along with Michael DeCarlo. “Most importantly, our wounded warriors need us and we should show our support. I lived through the Vietnam War era, where our soldiers did not get the respect they deserved. It was terrible. After that, I knew I wouldn’t let that happen again. Period. So, when Gary Cordes, coordinator of the event, specifically came to me asking for my help, I immediately jumped on the opportunity. This is one of those causes that we should all be paying attention to, being supportive of. This will help a lot of people.”

The stops set up on the trip include Mugs N’ Jugs (Lehigh Acres), MacDaddy’s Restaurant (Fort Myers), Junkanoo on the Beach (Fort Myers Beach), Orioles Club (North Fort Myers) and Victory Lane Cafe (North Fort Myers), where a big after-party will be held, complete with two live bands (Se7en Stories and Straight from the Tap), several prizes, raffles, food and drink.

“At the last stop, Victory Lane, there will actually be some soldiers of the Wounded Warriors Project, pulling the winning raffle tickets,” Lena said. “It’s going to be so much fun.”

The cost to ride is $15 per driver and $5 per passenger, which includes one poker hand per person. Each additional poker hand can be purchased for $5 each.

Beach bus available for the tour

“We’ll be putting together a bus trip for people on the island who want to participate in the poker run that don’t have a motorcycle,” Lena said.

The cost to ride along in this air-conditioned bus ride is $30, which includes your poker hand and all of the stops along the tour.

Pick-ups and drop-offs will be made at three Fort Myers Beach locations:?8:30 a.m. at Junkanoo on the Beach (3040 Estero Blvd.), 9 a.m. at The Mermaid (1204 Estero Blvd.) and 9:30 a.m. at Valerie’s Lounge (Indian Creek Shopping Plaza, 17264 San Carlos Blvd.). Drop-offs will be made at the same locations after the poker run tour.

“Drinks are permitted on the bus, so BYOB and coolers. Jell-o shots will be provided,” Lena said. “We’re also going to hold raffles and 50/50s on the bus throughout the poker-run trip. We are going to have such a blast!”

To register for the Fort Myers Beach bus trip, either sign up at Junkanoo on the Beach, The Mermaid or Valerie’s Lounge, or call Lena, 878-6342, or Michael, 590-5790.