Hometown Heroes Poker Run this Saturday

The first-annual Hometown Heroes Poker Run is slated for this Saturday, Sept. 19 at Joplin’s Memorial Hall. The event is designed to honor all first responders and members of the military.

It’s sponsored by VFW post 5293 in Joplin.

“We were looking for something to do that people could get involved with to commemorate Sept. 11th,” says Don Bechtel, Post 5293 quartermaster. “It’s going to start and finish on the Memorial Hall parking lot.”

“People can bring a motorcycle, car or pickup or whatever,” says VFW Trustee Randy Stice.”We’re going to have a raffle, a flag ceremony and also honor a policeman and a fireman that day.”

“We’ll explain why they’re so invaluable to the city and to their stations, too,” Slice adds.

The event will kick off at 8:30 a.m. with registration on the Memorial Hall parking lot.

The run will be open to both motorcycles and cars at a cost of $25 per vehicle with $5 for each additional rider.

Raffle tickets will be sold.The winner will get a 22 caliber lever action Henry rifle with ammunition or $300.

The event will even include a spaghetti dinner, included in the registration cost or for $5 for the general public.