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The Bikers of Troup (BAT) is doing its 16th annual Poker Run on Saturday, May 18. The ride is to raise money for the local organization, Defending America’s Defenders, Inc. (DAD), which provides resources to military Veterans. This year’s Poker Run is in memory of the co-founder of DAD, Pat Bennett.

DAD resources and services can be found on their website. The organization is focused on helping at-risk and homeless veterans.

The organization’s mission statement reads, “We believe in a future where every veteran has a stable place to call home and the resources they need to thrive in the community they once served.”

“They help veterans with all kinds of situations, if they need rides to appointments, or if they need food, they help them out,” said Ray Brundage a member of the Iron Cross Motorcycle Club and organizer of the event.

Brundage said the BAT includes multiple biker clubs from around the county. They put on events throughout the year to raise money for organizations, or individuals in need.

While the run is hosted by biker groups from around Troup County, all vehicles are welcome to participate. Registration starts at 9 a.m., and the KSU (Kick Stands Up) is at 11 p.m. when the riders will begin the ride. They will start from the Iron Cross Motorcycle Club at 2516 Upper Big Springs Road in LaGrange.

“If you want to ride your bicycle, take your Jeep, your Cadillac, we don’t care. We’re just raising money. We’re helping people out, if you want to help I could care less what you rode,” Brundage said laughing.

The registration cost is $20 per bike or other vehicle, and $5 per rider. Registration costs include a T-shirt for the event. The participants will get a playing card at registration, as well as a sheet of paper to keep track of the ride.

Once the vehicles launch, they will have stops around the county, where they can stop and get more playing cards, which gives it the name of “Poker Run.” The rider with the best and worst hand will both get a prize at the final stop.

From the Iron Cross, riders will go to W Crew Cigar Lounge, where they can enjoy the shop and get a second card. Then it is across town to Momma’s Pizzeria & Grill on West Point Road for another card. The third stop for the fourth card is Pyne Rd Sports Bar and Grill, on the corner of Pyne and Roanoke Road. Finally, riders are asked to get to the final stop, the Guardians RC at 107 Lovelace Road in West Point by around 1 p.m., where the festivities begin.

If the weather is especially bad on Saturday, Brundage said they may skip the poker run and have the West Point festivities. Attendees can check the DAD Landing page calendar to see any last-minute changes at defendingamericasdefenders.com.

At the Guardians RC, there will be food trucks, door prizes, raffles, and an auction all to raise money for DAD. Local band, Grand Theft Auto will be performing as well as other live musicians. Attendees as well as riders can buy tickets at $1 a ticket and use as many as desired for the auction. Some of the items being auctioned off are gift cards for local restaurants, leather goods, tattoo discounts and more.