Kickin’ It 4 Kim! Poker Run this Sunday
Another fund-raiser is being held for Kim O’Rourke and her family this weekend at the Old Fish House Marina in Matlacha.
O’Rourke was diagnosed Oct. 1 with stage four breast cancer, which had moved into her lymph nodes and bones, after she was admitted to the hospital after noticing she had no energy and was always tired. She began chemotherapy in October and her father, Joseph Thomas O’Rourke, otherwise known as Shadow, said she is currently doing really well – better than expected.
Kim has four children – three daughters and one son, along with two grandchildren.
The first fund-raiser, which was held in November, raised more than $8,000 for the family.
The second fund-raiser, Kickin’ It 4 Kim! Poker Run will be held Sunday, Jan. 27, at the Olde Fish House Marina.
Mark Barton, Olde Fish House Marina music and events coordinator, said registration will take place on the day of the event from 9:30-10:30 a.m. The poker run will kick off at 10:30 a.m. and the last rider must be back at the Olde Fish House by 4 p.m.
Barton said they have three different runs that individuals can participate in – a north route, south route and a pirate route for boats.
The north route includes the first and last stop at the Olde Fish House Marina, Open Road Bar & Grill, Tilly’s Tap, Ryan’s and Ragged Ass Saloon. The south route includes the first and last stops at the Olde Fish House Marina, San Carlos Country Club, Sneaky Pete’s, NFM Orioles and Low Key Tiki. The pirate route includes the first and last stops at the Olde Fish House Marina, the Waterfront, Low Key Tiki, Ragged Ass Saloon and Bert’s Bar & Grill.
Barton said the participant can select whichever run they want for $10 per rider and $5 for a passenger.
“They have a choice of which direction and how they want to attend it,” he said.
Barton said each individual who participates in the poker run will be given a certain wrist band for the run they choose to take. As they make a stop at the various locations, he said the participant will show their wrist band and receive a poker chip for each stop.
“The Fish House is the fifth and final stop,” Barton said. “They will draw all of their cards back at the Fish House.”
Prizes for the best hand and worst hand will be awarded in each run. He said an additional prize will be given for first place in the run that has the most participants.
Shadow said as far as he knows, the event is going to be huge.
“I’m hoping for the best,” he said.
In addition to the poker run, Ellie Lee will be performing from 3-6 p.m. at the Olde Fish House.
A barbeque dinner will be available for all those who participate in the ride for $5. Barton said the dinner is $10 for those who did not participate in the run. The Olde Fish House menu will also be available for those who wish to order from that.
The fund-raiser will also include a silent auction and 50/50 raffle, as well as T-shirts for sale.
Barton said all the proceeds from the event will go to Kim and her family.