Poker run to Jeff City to aid 2 charities

The first MFA Oil Poker Run will be held Saturday with starting points in Sedalia, Columbia, Jefferson City and Lake Ozark.

All routes are about 100 miles and include seven stops. The final stop for each route will be at Memorial Park in Jefferson City. Proceeds will benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of Mid-Missouri and University of Missouri Children’s Hospital.

“We (MFA Oil) wanted to find a way to help these two organizations out,” said Tom May, event organizer.

This family event is not limited to any one type of vehicle. Participants, who must be 18 or older, may drive their car, truck, mini van or motorcycle in the run.

Event packets may be picked up from 8 to 9 a.m. Saturday at Yeager’s Cycles, 3001 S. Limit Ave. The cost is $30 per hand and includes the entry fee, meal ticket and T-shirt. Each additional meal ticket costs $5. Entry forms are also available online at mfaoilpokerrun.com.

May, originally from Sedalia, said he’s pleased with the number of entries he’s received from Sedalia and Columbia so far. He’s hoping for 300 entries and is already halfway there. The goal is to raise $15,000 for each organization.

“That’s the great thing about having customers in rural areas like we do. We have good folks that support good causes,” he said.

Participants should meet at Memorial Park in Jefferson City at noon for lunch. The grand prize winner will receive a trip for two to the Daytona 500. The trip includes airfare, a two-night hotel stay, tickets to the race and $500 cash.

Prizes will also be awarded to first through third place winners on each route. Winners will receive an Apple iPad 2 for first place; $250 MFA Oil gift card for second place and a Garmin 1300 GPS for third place.

Additional prizes will be given for the worst hand, fullest family vehicle, sportiest sports car and most magnificent motorcycle.

A live auction will follow. Items to be sold include tickets to a Kenny Chesney concert, Kansas City Chiefs football game, St. Louis Cardinals baseball game and a barbecue grill.
May’s goal is to make this an annual event.