Bikers group reaches $50,000 milestone

The eighth annual Bikers Helping Veterans event, held May 4, netted more than $6,700, bringing the grand total raised by the group since 2000 to more than $50,000.

The event featured a poker run starting at L and D Patio in McClure, Ill.

Bill LaGrand won the $300 first-place prize, then donated half back to the cause. Second-place winner was Ronnie Asher, who won $200.

During the afternoon, hundreds of bikes, antique cars and tractors filled the parking lot at the veterans home for participants, residents and guests to view. Resident veterans Bobby Pierce, Harold Hicks, Ozzie Jokerst, Ken Dement and Len Myrick judged all entries and selected the winners: first-place bike, Peter Meier; second-place bike, Doyle Sample; first-place antique bike, David Murphy; first-place car, Steve Dunning; second-place car, Harold Robinson; first and second-place tractor, Bob Haggett.

Admission to the show also included lunch prepared by Cape Girardeau Elks Lodge 639, which donated brats in addition to making a donation. The Christian Motorcycle Association conducted a blessing of the bikes, assisted with parking and many other miscellaneous tasks throughout the day. Members of the Second Brigade Motorcycle Club were also on hand to assist.

Jerry and Maureen Simpkins, along with Tom McGowan and Cheri Parsons of T&C Motorcycle Parts, spearheaded the event again this year.

Tom Jones conducted an auction that brought in $2,277.

More than 25 donors and supporters contributed to raise funds for the Bikers Helping Veterans Fund, designated specifically to fulfill needs of individual residents of the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau.