7th annual Suicide Awareness Poker Run draws crowd
The 7th annual Suicide Awareness Poker Run was held June 15 beginning in downtown Sidney, looping into Colorado before ending the day in Chappell. Proceeds support local suicide awareness programs.
By News Channel Nebraska
SIDNEY -- Motorcycles of all varieties lined the streets in downtown Sidney Saturday morning June 15, then ended the day parked in downtown Chappell.
The bikers outran the clouds for the seventh Suicide Awareness Poker Run.
The annual event starts in Sidney at the Silver Dollar, makes its way through Peetz enroute to Sterling, Colo., where bikers turn north for Chappell and end the day at The Rusty Bucket. At The Rusty Bucket, bikers and event supporters have the opportunity to share a taco plate with a donation to the cause, and live and silent auctions.
Proceeds from the event support Be Here. Be Here is an organization that supports those who have been impacted by suicide. In an effort to show support for families and friends of those who died by suicide, a walk is held each September.
Early estimates on proceeds from the Suicide Awareness Poker Run is at about $18,000. More than 100 items were donated for the Live/Silent Auction, according to organizer Lavon Hajek. She added there were more riders registered than last year.
The Poker Run works with Be Here to provide envelopes at Sidney Regional Medical Center for any family who may need to take a family member to another facility for treatment. The envelopes contain gift cards for food and fuel. The envelopes also include a list of resources for lodging accommodations.
The 2024 Be Here walk is planned for the third Sunday in September.