ABWA’s Poker Pedal getting ready to roll
Combine bicycles, gambling and a party setting on Sanibel and you have the makings of the American Business Women Association Poker Pedal fundraiser.
The seventh annual Poker Pedal fundraiser, designed to help raise money for the organization’s scholarship program, is slated to be held this Sunday, April 19th at Bank Of the Islands at 11 a.m.
The Sanibel-Captiva Chapter of the ABWA Poker Pedal will help support 11 academic scholarships, explained Fay Carney, the AWBA’s event director. Last year, AWBA awarded scholarships to nine college students and three high school students. Students get about $1,500 a year, Carney added.
Money raised from the event benefits the the Take Stock In Children program, which according to its Web site – www.takestockinchildren.com – helps low-income, at-risk children in Florida go to college.
The event is vital to the program’s success.
“In order to continue our scholarship support, we need to raise funds each year,” Carney said.
The organization hopes to raise $10,000 from the Poker Pedal.
The event works by participants riding their bikes to seven of the event’s 15 business sponsor locations and collecting a playing card at each stop. The best poker hands win great prizes at the AWBA “After Pedal Party” held at the Sanibel Community Center at 3 p.m. Prizes include week long stay at an island accommodation, jewelry and, of course, a new bicycle.
Pre-registration for the event is $25 and applications are available at the bank of the Islands, Sanibel-Captiva Bank, Tom Lauwer’s Tax and Accounting, Three Crafty Ladies, Curves, and The Island Nutrition Center. Walkers are also welcome at the family-friendly event. All participants receive a seventh annual edition T-shirt.
For additional information about the ABWA’s Poker Pedal, contact Fay Carney at 395-1767.