Mayor’s Poker Run nets estimated $2,500

    Needy families and other community efforts will be the beneficiaries of Saturday’s 9th annual Mayor’s Charity Poker Run, which by all accounts, was successful.
    Thirty-four riders took to their motorcycles or other vehicles to make the tri-state trip, leaving Imperial mid-morning and returning for supper Saturday evening.
    After all expenses, it appears the event will raise about $2,500, said Jo Leyland, Giving Circle member who helps coordinate the event.
    Mayor Dwight Coleman, who kicked off the annual event 9 years ago, said this one was his last.
    He is not seeking re-election as mayor after filling the seat 12 years.
    But, he’s hoping the poker run will keep going.
    “I’m sure willing to help whoever wants to continue it, I’ll just have less responsibility,” he said this week.
    After receiving their first playing card in Imperial, riders took off on the route to Benkelman, St. Francis, Kansas, Wray, Colorado, Holyoke, Colorado and back to Imperial.
    Receiving their last playing card in Imperial, the best  hands were determined and the top three received Visa gift cards for $150, $100 and $50.
    First was won by Joel Huser of Grant, second was Cody Boon of Benkelman, while Dan Lloyd of Missouri took third.
    All three men donated the cards back to the Giving Circle, whose mission is to anonymously support individuals and efforts in need.
    Bug spot winners were Roxane Miller and Huser, who each won a bucket of cleaning supplies donated by AACE Wash Systems of Imperial.
    Tyler Pribbeno won the 50/50 raffle and also donated his winnings back to the group.
    Ride participants took home  numerous door prizes donated by local businesses.
    Along the route, Coleman said temperatures become hot. He looked at the temperature gauge on his bike between St. Francis and Wray when it read 105.
    Only one bike had some mechanical issues, but the support vehicle was close and they “didn’t miss a beat,” Coleman said.
    Coleman is unsure what prompted him to start the event years ago, but saw it as a good idea even though he had to explain what a poker run was to Leyland, he laughed.
    “It just seemed like there was a need and this was a way to raise some money to help others out,” he said.
    The mayor said it’s raised way more than he ever expected. Prior to this year’s run, about $11,000 in funds have been distributed.
    Coleman said he’s not really sentimental about this year being the last poker run while he’s mayor.
    “It’s been real good, and I feel like we are going out on top,” he said.