VERO BEACH — The Rotary Club of Vero Beach Oceanside is hosting a Charity Poker Paddle on Saturday, Nov. 24, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. beside the boat launch at McWilliams Park in Vero Beach.
The fundraising event along the Indian River will benefit the following six local children’s charities:
Big Brothers/Big Sisters
Gifford Youth Orchestra
Florida Outdoor Center
Hibiscus Children’s Center
Gifford Youth Activity Center
Youth Guidance
How the poker paddle works: The idea is to gather 5 playing cards, 1 at each checkpoint with the option of purchasing an additional bonus card for $10 at a sixth checkpoint. The playing cards will be in a sealed envelope and must stay that way until the end.
Upon return to the final check-in/launch point, each poker player’s envelopes will be collected and later opened by a judge. The top three 5-card stud poker hands will be awarded prizes.
For those choosing not to participate in the poker portion, participants may opt for a guided nature tour instead.
The family oriented event is not a race; no prizes will be awarded for speed.
Check-in will begin at 9 a.m. at McWilliams Park near the dog park on Acacia Rd. Launch will be at 10 a.m. at the basin directly across from the City of Vero Beach Riverhouse.
Participants will be given a route map to follow on a 2+ mile north or south route depending on the weather. Final check-in will begin at approximately 12 p.m. at the original check-in/launch area.
Upon check-in and tallying of all poker participants, winners will be announced and awards distributed as follows: Best poker hand = $150, Second best poker hand = $100, and Third best poker hand = $50.
Preregister by Monday, Nov. 19, to receive a coupon from Mark’s at the Pointe Salon & Boutique on Royal Palm Pointe in Vero Beach for your choice of one free waterfront manicure, a 30-minute massage, a 30-minute facial, or $30 towards any other service offered at Mark’s.
Registration is $20/person (with or without your own kayak, canoe, or paddle board) and $30/poker hand.
Limited spaces are available in the ten person Giant Canoe at $20/person, who will also participate in the poker paddle and provide a guided tour.
Day of the event, registration is $30/person (with or without your own kayak, canoe, or paddle board.) Only regulation paddle driven kayaks/canoes/paddle boards may participate.
Don’t own a kayak or paddle board? A limited number of kayaks and paddle boards will be provided, courtesy of Florida Outdoor Center, on a first-come, first-served basis with the $20/person registration fee.
Ten person big canoe seats are also available on a first-come, first-served basis with the $20/person registration fee.
Registration forms are available at each of the charity’s websites, physical locations, and www.RotaryVeroOceanside.org .
Sponsorship opportunities are available starting at $100 and “In-Kind” sponsorships are always appreciated.
For more information, please contact Elaine Jones at (772) 299-1383 or [email protected], or visit the Rotary website mentioned above.
The proceeds from the event benefits Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring programs right here in our own community. Big Brothers Big Sisters provides a variety of different one-to-one programs and believes that “mentoring is as simple as putting a friend in a child’s life but as essential as putting hope in a child’s future.”
The community-based program allows volunteers to provide “littles” with one-on-one time and attention in their communities, typically two to four hours a month.
During these unstructured outings, they cultivate relationships that provide children with skills to manage everyday challenges. Through simple friendship, “bigs” experience the joy of helping children discover a world of possibilities and opportunities.
The school-based program is another volunteer opportunity. Volunteers can become reading mentors and open up the world of books for a child in kindergarten, first, or second grade. Experience the joy simple moments of friendship can bring.
Big Brothers Big Sisters is always looking for more volunteers and loyal supporters. For more information about Big Brothers Big Sisters, please visit us online at www.BBBSBigs.org or call (772) 770-6000.
Rotary Club of Vero Beach Oceanside is one of over 34,400 Rotary clubs in more than 220 countries and geographical areas. Clubs are nonpolitical, nonreligious, and open to all cultures, races, and creeds.
As signified by the motto “Service Above Self,” Rotary’s main objective is service: in the community, in the workplace, and throughout the world.
Rotary clubs are free to develop autonomous service programs locally, nationally, and globally, plus all Rotarians are united in a worldwide campaign to eradicate polio.
Rotary Club of Vero Beach Oceanside meets every Tuesday from 5:30 p.m.–7 p.m. at the Indian River Shores Town Hall Community Room located at 6001 N. A1A & Fred Tuerk Dr. in Vero Beach.
For more information, please visit www.RotaryVeroOceanside.org or www.Rotary.org.
