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Biker Riders Benefit Wounded Warriors

Island Sand Paper - 2/23/2018

The Groves RV Resort at 16175 John Morris Road continues its 9th annual "Bicycle Poker Run" season to benefit the Wounded Warriors Project, with the public invited to join in for just a $10 entry fee, with half to the Poker Run prizes and the other half to the Wounded Warriors Project, to benefit military veterans injured in the line of duty. Phil "Flipper" Folkertsma, Byron Grimes, and Dick Stinson, who all live on the same block at Groves, began the Poker Run nine years ago, as a community activity, with less than 10 people participating, then included the "Wounded Warrior Project" component as more people took part.

Riders range from visiting grandchildren in their early 20s to Kim Packard, 93-years-young and a World War II veteran who followed along in a golf cart. Participants are not only from the Groves, but San Carlos Island, Fort Myers Beach and South Fort Myers as well. "Throughout all the years, our worst injury is one broken collarbone," Byron recalled. "There have been some bumps and bruises, but fortunately nothing worse than hurting your pride!" The event begins at Lot #239 at 1 p.m., with riders asked to arrive at roughly 12:30 p.m. to register and pay. Participants can purchase the distinctive safetyyellow t-shirt worn by most riders that proclaims, "We are Proud of Our Military Heroes" for $15, with $8 to the charity. From Groves, bikers ride to Ron Dao's, with a short hop to the Pickle-N-Pub, then for longer stretches to Valerie's and the Bayside Grill, before concluding at Buster's on McGregor Boulevard, down the road from the Groves Resort.

HONK IF YOU LOVE VETS

The 10-mile ride, however, is not for the faint of heart the day this reporter tagged along, with the temperature in the mid-80s and nary a cloud for shade. Our February 16 outing set the all-time attendance record of 84 people, with 57 bike riders and 27 on golf carts, so if you plan to bicycle, be aware of the physical necessities. With that many people, we formed a long line; fortunately most vehicles in traffic patiently waited for all of us to pass through each intersection and crosswalk, with the only horn honking in support of our t-shirts!

At each of the five stops, every person blindly draws a playing card, with those having the best poker hand at the end winning monetary prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place, with the worst hand receiving $5! "Many of our Poker Run winners donate their jackpots back to the 'Wounded Warriors Project,'" Flipper explained. "We often receive donations as well from people at the various bars, who see our t-shirts and slip us a $5 or $10. As far as organizing the rides, a lot of folks at the Groves RV Resort help us get it all-together, and we couldn't do it without them, especially our wives!" Now in its 9th year, the Groves Poker Run has raised $11, 890 to date for the "Wounded Warriors Project," including the $420 from February 16. There are five rides each season, on the third Friday of each month, from November through March, with the last one of 2017-18 on Friday, March 16. "To be a 'Wounded Warrior Project' patron, there is generally a $95-a-year annual fee," Flipper explained. "But we have been doing this for so long now, that the Project first lowered that for us to $25, and now they waive it all-together. We recently received a wonderful letter from the Project Director, thanking us for all we do." There is no advance registration necessary for the Poker Run; if you have questions, call Flipper at 616-481-1551, Byron at 573-434-5992, or Joan at 603-355-7980.

Riders leave the Groves at 1 p.m., and attempt to arrive at Buster's by 4 p.m., where the event officially concludes. "To stay on that pace," said Byron, "we have to move at a pretty good clip, without much time at the first four stops, though we do allocate a little extra time at the Bayside Grill for a quick snack. To allow everyone to have a libation and not drive the bartenders crazy, we try to pair folks up in advance into foursomes, so they can walk in, order a quick pitcher, and have a fast beer before we are back on our way."

Flipper is not only a veteran, but so is his wife, Nancy, "These events are special to us." "It started out in the beginning just as an excuse to throw a party," added Byron. "Now, because of the 'Wounded Warriors' aspect, it means so much more than that." To Dick, the best part is that "we help people who defended us, and who now need us in return; it's giving back to those who protected us."

Gary Mooney