Benefit poker run is set for Sunday
To raise both awareness of autism spectrum disorder and funds for the first spectrum Sensory Room at Island Coast High School in Cape Coral, the non-profit group Blue Crayonz, Inc. has organized a benefit poker run that will ride throughout Southwest Florida on Sunday.
Registration will kick off at Crossroads Grill and Lounge, 211 Hancock Bridge Parkway, Cape Coral, at 10 a.m.
Other stops will include the Big 10 Tavern (Cape Coral), Pink Flamingo (Fort Myers), Caloosahatchee Jack’s (Fort Myers) and finish up at Chicago Boys (Fort Myers), with the last bike in at 3 p.m.
“One-hundred percent of the proceeds from this run will go to benefit Blue Crayons, Inc, our public non-profit charity devoted to helping the children on the autism spectrum,” said Veronica Banchs, lead coordinator of the run and founder/president of Blue Crayonz, Inc. “It’s going to be a lot of fun. We have a 50/50 raffle – and we have so many phenomenal raffle prizes!”
The run begins with breakfast at Crossroads, each stop will have something special in store for participants, and a big party at Chicago Boys will sum up the benefit.
The cost to participate in the run is $15 per rider, $5 per passenger, and the winning poker hand will receive a $100 gift card to the Big 10 Tavern.
“A very big thank you to all participating Sunday – especially to all of our poker stops and the Rebel Riders for all their support in hosting this event for us.”
Banchs is eager to continue her goal of building the first ever Sensory Room at Island Coast High School, featuring some of the latest and greatest technology and advances that help soothe the minds of those on the spectrum.
“Our goal is to secure the sponsors and donors needed to assist us in the design of the sensory room, an environment for the special needs ESE students who attend the school,” she said. “This therapeutic space will provide students with a quiet room along with the sensory equipment needed to help them throughout the school day.”
Some of the items on the room’s list include a Relaxing Sensory Corner, Percussion Junction Wall Panel, Bubble Mirror, Fitness Trampoline, No Mess Sand Box, Huddle Cuddle Cushion, Weighted Kit, Tactile Solution Kit, Rainbow Panel Folding Mats, Ball Chairs and a series of wall pads. Cosmetic items needed include paint, artwork and visual effects.
Once the Blue Crayonz benefit poker run concludes, Banchs plans to host a series of other fund-raisers to help reach their goal of completing the school’s sensory room.
“We welcome you all to join us in our upcoming fund-raising events all leading up to our grand opening in August 2017.”
To find out more about Blue Crayonz and a schedule of benefits on the horizon, or to lend your support, visit BlueCrayonzInc.org, email OurBlueCrayonz@gmail.com or call 239-357-4218.