PHOTOS COURTESY OF ROBYN STROBECK

Robyn Strobeck, left, is organizing the second annual Purpose Driven Charity Poker Run to benefit the Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital Cancer Clinic. Last year, the event raised $3,000. Strobeck is hoping to raise more this year.

Poker Run to benefit children with cancer

By Meghan Erkkinen

Local residents will take part in a poker run via motorcycle Aug. 23 all to benefit children.

The second annual Purpose Driven Charity Poker Run will begin in Federal Way at around 10 a.m. and end that afternoon at Milton’s Cedarwood Sports Bar and Grill for food, prizes, contests and live music. At five stops along the way, motorcycle riders will pick up specially marked playing cards. At the end of the ride, the participant with the best hand will win a prize.

The registration fee and other money collected from the event will be given to the Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital cancer clinic. Last year, the event raised a little more than $3,000 and organizer Robyn Strobeck is hoping for more this year.

“Cancer is a horrible, horrible disease,” said Strobeck, whose mother died of cancer. “If we can help one child for a day…It’s one day for people to pull together and have some fun and the money goes to an incredible cause.”

The event, Strobeck said, is a way to honor her mother.

“Instead of standing in pity with myself and feeling sorry for myself, I had to do something to step outside myself,” she said. She decided to do something she had always wanted to do – a motorcycle ride. But, she added, “I did not want to do it without a purpose.

“It’s something for me to give back so they (the children’s families) don’t have to go through what I went through,” she added. “My mother would love the fact that I’m doing something to benefit children.”

Putting together the event is no small task. Strobeck distributes flyers, solicits businesses for sponsorships, gets volunteers and coordinates the event.

So far, Strobeck has commitments from more than 50 people, up from a total of about 40 people last year. On the day of the event, she hopes to double last year’s number. She stressed that those interested in participating can meet up at the Cedarwood at the end of the ride if they do not want to ride a motorcycle.

The registration fee is $50 and includes a T-shirt, breakfast, a barbeque, beer garden and festivities at the end of the event. Motorcycle riders will arrive at the Cedarwood between 4 and 6 p.m. Participants should meet at Keller Williams Realty at 33530 1st Way S., Federal Way, between 9 and 10 a.m.

For more information, visit www.kwpokerrun.com.

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