For Immediate Release

Date: 07-21-07

Laurens Electric’s 5th Annual Poker Run raises $9500 for co-op emergency relief fund

On Saturday, July 21, Laurens Electric Cooperative hosted its fifth annual Poker Run. This year’s event raised $9500 – more than twice as much as last year – to benefit the emergency relief fund Cooperative Caring, and included almost 400 players.

This year’s ride featured dual starts at Laurens Electric’s main office off Highway 14 in Laurens and at Harley Davidson of Greenville, and included several locations across the Upstate where participants rested and drew cards. Registration was $25 per rider per hand, and $10 per passenger per hand, all proceeds benefiting Cooperative Caring.

“It's always exciting to see an event grow, but to double in size is very exciting.  Our Run had two starting locations, which enabled us to include a larger audience, with bikers from South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia participating. We are seeing our group of dedicated riders that return year after year increasing in size as well” said Laurens Electric Cooperative employee and event organizer David Hammond. “I know that we'll see even larger numbers at next year’s event,” added Hammond.

Ray Reid of Greer, SC, won $1000 for the best poker hand. Other prizes included $500 for the second best hand won by DJ Haynes of Ware Shoals and $250 for the worst poker hand, won by Chip Childs of Gray Court.

Prizes were announced at the final stop of the ride at Harley Davidson of Greenville. “This is one of most well-run events I’ve ever seen,” said Laura Jackerson, Marketing & Event Coordinator for Harley Davidson of Greenville.

During the event, many participants bought tickets for a 50/50 drawing held by Laurens Electric’s chapter of WIRE (Women Involved in Rural Electrification). Half of the $570 raised was won by participant Gina Foster, and the other half will go to help sponsor a child at the Victory Junction Gang Camp in North Carolina. According to the organization’s web site, victoryjunction.org, the camp was started by Kyle and Pattie petty in honor of their son Adam, and “enriches the lives of children with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses by providing life-changing camping experiences that are exciting, fun, and empowering, in a safe and medically sound environment.”

Laurens Electric Cooperative is a member-owned electric utility serving 49,000 families and businesses in seven counties of the Upstate since 1939. In keeping with its Mission Statement and Core Values, Laurens Electric remains committed to the communities it serves.