by Natasha Khairullah
Staff Writer
The Jacksonville Firefighters River Rally Poker Run has made quite a reputation for itself.
Attended by an average of 700 boaters annually, raising nearly $2 million for local charities and being regarded by many as simply a “damn good time,” this year’s run continues the tradition.
The 6th annual run is June 7-10 at Metropolitan Park and according to event founder Bill Pyburn, there are already 500 people registered to attend.
“We just want folks to come out and have good time for a good cause,” he said. “And that’s something people have no problem doing. That’s why the turnout gets better and better each year. We hope this year’s no exception.”
Aside from boating, the run employs a round of poker that offers over $125,000 in prizes for winning hands. Tickets to the event cost $125 per person and all proceeds benefit the Tom Coughlin Jay Fund Foundation.
The “floating card game” – as it is referred to by Pyburn – begins at Metropolitan Park Marina June 7 and winds up June 10. Each boater will navigate through a 160-mile course along the St. Johns River collecting cards along the way to create hands in hopes of a chance at winning the grand jackpot of $50,000. The winners will be announced that evening at an awards ceremony at the Landing.
Pyburn said he created the event in 2001 to provide boaters and companies such as Fountain Powerboats, Julington Creek Yacht Sales and Carrabba’s Italian Grill with an opportunity to make a charitable donation to a great cause.
“The benefactors vary sometimes, but not always,” he said, noting that the National Leukemia & Lymphoma Society was the main recipient of last year’s proceeds. “But either way, they are always organizations that are in great need.”
The Tom Coughlin Jay Fund Foundation’s mission is to assist children with leukemia and other cancers and their families by providing emotional and financial support to help reduce the stress associated with treatment and improve their quality of life.
“I kind of like that idea,” said Pyburn. “The Leukemia Society was a great organization to donate to, but everything went into research. This way, money goes directly to the families.”
Attendees of past Poker Runs include Jacksonville Landing partner Toney Sleiman, director of the City’s Office of Special Events Theresa O’Donnell Price and Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth. Pyburn said 95 percent of the attendees are from outside of Jacksonville, but a good number of boaters from Northeast Florida do attend faithfully.
Jacksonville resident Tara Burton-Value has been attending the run for the past three years with her husband Drew and says that although the prize money is sweet, the prizes are only one of the reason she continues to join the Run year after year.
“It’s the experience and the people and the energy,” she said. “I’ll keep coming to this thing for as long as it’s held.
For information on sponsorship opportunities and boat participation in the 2007 Jacksonville Police & Fire River Rally Poker Run, call 654-5959.