The 11th annual Unions for Kids motorcycle poker run donated a record $64,000 to Doernbecher Children’s Hospital.
The event, held June 8 at the IBEW Local 48 union hall in Northeast Portland, drew 405 participants. The winner of the Poker Run — with a high hand of four queens — was Carol Gilmore. The low-hand of 4-5-6-7-9 was held by Darcy Freimark. Each received a cash prize. The Chili Cook-off champions were Rick and Gwen Flores, representing IBEW Local 48.
The largest portion of the fundraiser comes from a raffle for a new Harley-Davidson motorcycle. This year’s winner was Christine Smith of Milwaukie, Oregon. She is a member of International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 28.
The largest single union contribution to the event was $5,000 from Carpenters Local 156. The largest private (corporate) contribution was from Columbia Motorcycle Harley-Davidson, $3,500.
Another $4,818 was raised at a Texas Hold‘em poker tournament in March hosted by Sheet Metal Workers Local 16.
Unions for Kids is a nonprofit and all-volunteer organization, with 100 percent of the proceeds going to the kids at Doernbecher Children’s Hospital. Since its inception, the Poker Run has donated $390,000 to Doernbecher.
