The fundraising was the poker equivalent of a royal flush.
The Kamaniskeg Lake Property Owners Association Poker Run (KAPOA) on Saturday, July 29 raised $36,000. That exceeds, by $9,000, the cost to purchase a baby isolette for St. Francis Memorial Hospital.
Organizer Bruce Willmer said, with 52 boats and five cyclists, the event had its biggest turnout in its 11-year history.
He says the funds raised and the high spirit at Hinterland Beach, where the event wrapped up with a barbecue, is a testament to the lake’s tight-knit community.
“I’m not a poker player, but I imagine if I won at a poker tournament with a royal flush, I’d be pretty ecstatic and that’s the way I feel right now,” he said, shortly after the total was announced. “It’s an emotional feeling. It feels really good to do something for the community.”
There were many creatively decorated boats at the event, including the Lucas and Moorhouse families’ “Vikings” boat, which the prize for top boat. More photos, and videos, from the event are on our Moose FM Facebook page.
