Ride for Andrew Motorcycle Poker Run Set to Wend Way Through Region

The second “Ride for Andrew Motorcycle Poker Run” will wend its way through the region this Sunday.

The ride, which will comprise motorcycles and other vehicles, will travel through Ellington, Enfield, Manchester, South Windsor and Vernon.

The event will raise funds for Andrew Haraghey, 16-year-old adaptive skier with cerebral palsy who is attempting to realize his dream of making the U.S. Paralympian Ski team and compete in the 2014 Paralympic Games in Sochi, Russia.

Sheryl Haraghey said that Andrew has been invited to train in Mt. Hood, Colorado with one of the top Paralympian ski coaches. That will entail having Andrew fly out to Colorado several times this year, in addition to having him acquire new equipment.

None of that is cheap.

So, to defray expenses, Sheryl and Andrew have been hard at work putting together fundraisers like the Poker Run and a car wash in Enfield that took place in July.

Last year, the Poker Run had about 65 participants. Sheryl hopes to have 100 this year and raise several thousand dollars.

The Run will have several stops, at which participants will pick up a playing card. The rider with the best hand at the end will receive a two-night stay at Mt. Snow in Vermont as well as four lift tickets from Ability Plus.

Sheryl said that she has been blown away by the support not only from individuals, but the business community. The ski trip prizes were donated, Sheryl said, as well as the items in the gift bags that will be handed out, which include free drink cards from Hooters and gift cards from Verizon.

“I had no idea it would be like this,” Sheryl said. “I didn’t realize how easy it would be [to get businesses to back Andrew’s pursuit].”

The Poker Run will start at TSI Harley Davidson in Ellington at 9:30 a.m. The cost to enter is $25 for those who pre-register, and $30 for those who sign up the day of the event, with an additional $5 for each additional passenger.

There will be a breakfast truck set up, with proceeds from the sales being donated to Andrew’s cause. Sheryl said that those interested in eating breakfast should arrive around 8:30 a.m.

There will also be a buffet lunch at Cedar Castle at Cedar Knob Country Club at 1 p.m.  The MIghty Drivers will play live music, and there will be raffle items, including a chance to win Red Sox tickets as well as a silent auction. For more details visit www.andrewraces.com.