'Paws & Claws Poker Run' for Anderson Animal Shelter

The Wild Fire Harley Davidson Chapter 1084 in Villa Park has selected Anderson Animal Shelter in South Elgin as its charity for the year.

As part of the charity of the year designation, the chapter will partner with Anderson Animal Shelter to host "Paws & Claws Poker Run" on Sunday, May 27.

Wild Fire has held a poker run event for the past several years in conjunction with other charities, but this is the first one in partnership with the shelter.

Dale Erwin, Road Captain for Wild Fire H.O.G. Chapter 1084, said, "The Road Captains have created a fun scenic route of 100 miles with stops for the assembly of a poker hand. The event will culminate with a great party at Bannerman's Sports Grill featuring games, raffles and auctions. Being an animal lover with three dogs of my own, I think it is important for people from all walks of life: bikers, bankers and homemakers, to support and foster the rescues and shelters that make such a difference to so many needy animals every day."

Sue Chiodo, president of the Anderson Animal Shelter board of directors and event chairwoman, notes, "The Paws & Claws fundraising team, the board of directors and the staff at Anderson are so grateful to the Wild Fire H.O.G. Chapter 1084 for choosing us as their charity of the year. They have been extremely helpful in insuring we have a successful event and have been a delight to work with. As you can imagine, we are always looking for new fundraising avenues and contacts to support our efforts in providing homeless pets in our care the best environment we can until they find their forever homes, the Wild Fire H.O.G. Chapter has really stepped up to the plate to help us succeed."

So how did this event come about? Wild Fire Road Captain Dale Erwin recalls, "It started with a chance encounter. Wild Fire had an evening at Zanies Comedy Club in St. Charles for its members and Anderson had a group there selling 50/50 tickets. One of their members struck up a conversation about a fundraising ride, and it has blossomed from there."

Dave Meyers, assistant director for Wild Fire, said, "This has been quite an experience working with the folks from Anderson. Their excitement and willingness to get the job done is quite refreshing to be a part of. Frankly, they are well versed in the art of organizing, supporting and advertising charity events. The Paws & Claws Poker Run for 2012 is the first event of its kind for them, and they haven't missed a beat. Our goal, other than to raise money for them, is to show them another avenue in which they can raise funds, have a great time, and maybe reach another audience that may have been unaware of the fine work that they do."

At the beginning of the poker run, at each stop and the end, riders will choose, collect and bag items. Those will then be turned in at the end of the ride to create a poker hand for the chance to win a prize.

Registration fees will be $20 for one rider only, $30 for a rider with a passenger, $10 to attend just the after-party. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. Sunday with the first bike driving out at 10 a.m. The last bike will drive out at 11:30 a.m. and bag turn-in must be by 3:30 p.m.

To register, visit www.andersonanimalshelter.org/events/special-events.html.

The ride will begin at the Fox River Harley Davidson in St. Charles, with three stops at a few of Anderson's many sponsors and supporters. It will end with the celebration and party at Bannerman's Sports Grill in Bartlett.

This will be an opportunity to enjoy biking, friends and great times while supporting the work of the Anderson Animal Shelter. Don't ride a motorcycle? Join them for the fun at Bannerman's.

Anderson Animal Shelter collaborates with public and private organizations and individuals to shelter, care for and promote the adoption of stray and unwanted companion animals. They advocate for the compassionate and humane treatment of these animals through direct care, humane education and community outreach programs. For information, call (847) 697-2880 or visit www.andersonanimalshelter.org.

Wild Fire 1084 is the third largest H.O.G. chapter in the state of Illinois with over 500 members. For details, visit www.wildfirehog.org.