Annual Shriner's poker run set for Sunday

Motorcycles will be revved up and ready to run 99 miles in the ninth annual Shriner's poker run Sunday, beginning with an 11:30 a.m. registration at the Boardman Pavilion in downtown Cape Girardeau. Registration for the event is $10 per rider.

Ron Clark, past president of the Cape Shrine Club, said the route, set up to pass through Altenburg, Frohna, Biehle, Scott City and Cape Girardeau, is planned for half the riders to start at one end of the loop while others begin where they end up -- allowing them all to meet along the way.

Clark, a rider himself, tries to change the routes annually. "This one has some flat areas, curves and farm country," he said.

All proceeds will benefit Shriners Hospitals, which treat patients up to age 18 suffering from a variety of ailments at no cost to the patients or their families regardless of their ability to pay.

"Last year the event raised $8,000 for Shriners Hospitals," said Clark, who cherishes his title in the club as lifetime ambassador. Now in charge of fund raising, he is proud of the generosity of many of the riders.

"We have a 50/50 raffle and a cash prize for the best hand. The winners often just give back the money knowing it goes to help kids," he said.

There are 22 Shriners hospitals nationwide and the family of a child requesting medical assistance does not need to have any connection with the Masons or Shriners. For more information, contact a local Shriner or Mason, or call (800) 237-5055 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday.