A record-setting run

700-plus riders, $35,500 raised so far

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BROOKINGS – The growth of the Disabled American Veterans Brookings Chapter No. 22 and the 727th Transportation U.S. Army National Guard Charity Poker Run won’t slow down anytime soon, if Saturday’s ride is any indication.

Above, riders gather at the Brookings Armory on Fifth Street South before the ride heads out with its parade at high noon. The Rolling Thunder was one of several groups leading the riders out of Brookings. They also had a police and DAV escort with Brookings firefighters and police stopping traffic along the way.

The 13th annual poker run, which raises money for the DAV Hospital Transportation Network to take veterans to medical appointments, attracted more than 700 riders and passengers and netted at least $35,500, according to organizer Sgt. 1st Class Eric Kinslow, of the 196th Regiment out of Ft. Meade. Some donations are still coming in.

That compares to $34,500 from 643 participants in 2016. Organizers say $143,000 has been donated to the network over the past 12 years, not including funds from this year’s run.

“Every year amazes us,” Kinslow said. “It just keeps growing and growing and growing.”

The 150-mile run takes riders from Brookings to Flandreau, Madison, Arlington, Estelline and back to Brookings in about five hours. All stops are at locations related to veterans, such as VFW and Legion halls, which can raise money for their programs through food sales. Food and door prizes were also part of the fundraiser back in Brookings.

Kinslow said the poker run attracts riders from all over the Midwest, and this year some with Brookings connections even came from Texas. And there’s no reason to believe the event won’t keep growing, he added, with new faces and motorcycle clubs joining the ride every year.