Holiday riding: Junkanoo hosts annual Christmas Poker Run and Holiday Toy Drive benefit Sunday, Dec. 16
For the 16th year in a row, Junkanoo on the Beach’s annual Christmas Poker Run and Holiday Toy Drive will be riding off Sunday, Dec. 16, with sign-up at 10 a.m. and the first bike out by 11 a.m.
Riders can expect a great selection of stops, including the Beached Whale, the Smiling Dog, Valerie’s Lounge and the Mermaid, with other special “mystery stops” set up along the way.
“Each stop will be offering free food and everyone is welcome to join, whether you’re on a Harley, a moped, a bicycle, a car, truck, scooter or anything else,” said co-organizer Mike DeCarlo, along with island girl Lena Neroni. “Guard captains Blue Sliker, Brother Dave and Mike Sangster will lead the run, Thea and Paula Towell deal the cards and keep track of everyone’s hands, and Lena and Rachael will be offering raffle tickets and commemorative T-shirts.”
The cost to ride is $20 a bike, $10 per rider, which gets each participant a poker hand. If you’re not able to ride on a bike during the run no worries. Mike has reserved a super-comfortable air-conditioned bus, which is open to all who’d like to join. There is no additional charge to ride on the bus, just the cost of your poker hand(s).
There will be plenty of food at each stop, as well as raffles, prizes, 50/50 drawings and, of course, cards for your poker hand.
“We ride for a reason,” Mike said. “It’s all for local beach kids and the Lee Co. Sheriff’s Dept. Youth Ranch. We always have a great turnout, and expect this year to be no different. Come by, donate some toys for local kids and have a great time for a great cause. Let’s make this the biggest and best one ever.”
He’s eager to point out that all of the classic Junkanoo girls will be at the run including Paula, Thea, Rachael, Niko, Kimberly, Kim and so many others.
“It’s all for our local kids, so come out, donate a toy or two, have a great ride, get a poker hand, enjoy some free food and feel good knowing you’re helping your local community.
Those attending are asked to donate a new, unwrapped toy to the fund-raiser, which will then be delivered Sunday, Dec. 23, to First Baptist Church on Connecticut Street by none other than Santa Clause, himself, along with Mrs.?Clause and several very special island elves, where island children and their families will have fun with the holiday bunch.
Junkanoo (3040 Estero Blvd.) is acting as a toy drop for the local benefit now through the entire month of December, as well as all other participants of the run, including the Beached Whale, Valerie’s Lounge, the Smiling Dog and the Mermaid. So, feel free to make your toy donations early by stopping by any of those locations anytime during operating hours.
Wrapping party
Be sure to stop by Junkanoo Saturday, Dec. 22, starting at 7 p.m. for the group’s annual and huge wrapping party, where volunteers gather to wrap up all of the donated gifts for the island kids.
“A woman from Michigan called us this year, donating all of the wrapping supplies we need ?the tape, the wrapping paper so we just need volunteers to help us wrap all of these presents for the kids,” Mike said.
For more information, to make a donation or to volunteer during the benefit or the wrapping party, call Mike DeCarlo at 590-5790.