August 23, 2008

This is the 8th Annual year that Kroger has hosted a motorcycle ride through scenic southern Illinois.  As a civic minded business, Kroger believes in giving back to the communities they serve.  In doing so, tens of thousands of dollars have gone to local charities to benefit many southern Illinois individuals and families.  This year, Kroger selected the Coach Kill Cancer Fund as the charity to partner with for the Poker Run for the Fund.

The Poker Run for the Fund will be held Saturday, August 23rd with a rain date of Sunday, August 24th.  Riders can register online, or download the registration form at this site and return to Kroger along with the Rider Release Form.  This will speed up the registration process the day of the event.  Registration at the event is scheduled from 9:00 to 11:00 am at the DuQuoin State Fairground.

Registration is $25 for a single rider or $35 for two riders on the same bike.  The registration fee includes; one poker hand each, lunch, snacks, non-alcoholic beverages, steak dinner, prizes, entertainment and free admission and parking to the State Fairgrounds.  Have friends that can’t make the ride but want to join you for dinner?  Additional dinner tickets can be purchased for $15 per ticket.  Last year’s 50/50 raffle ticket was worth over $1,000 to the winner and another drawing will take place this year.  Commemorative t-shirts will be available at $10 each, along with the chance to purchase additional poker hands at $5 each.

The ride will leave the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds with the first poker card draw at the Carbondale Kroger on Giant City Road.  The second poker card draw will be lunch at Giant City State Park (pavilion #5).  The third draw will take place at the West Frankfort Kroger and the fourth draw will be at the Mt. Vernon Kroger store.  Riders will draw their last card at the Washington County Conservation Park south of Nashville.  Everyone is then invited to return to the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds for a wonderful steak dinner at 5:00 pm, prepared by Great Boars of Fire and Kroger.  Entertainment will be on going throughout the evening with prizes awarded for the Best Poker Hand and Worst Poker Hand.

The highlight of the evening will be at approximately 6:00 pm with the drawing for the winner of the 2008 1200 XL Harley Davidson.  Raffle tickets for the bike are $10 each and available at any Kroger store in southern Illinois or western Kentucky.  Tickets are also available through the Coach Kill Cancer Fund at the following locations; Southern Illinois Healthcare Systems Office Carbondale, Memorial Hospital of Carbondale, Herrin Hospital, St. Joseph’s Memorial Hospital in Murphysboro and the Center for Medical Arts in Carbondale.  Tickets will be available for purchase up until the drawing August 23rd.

A special thanks to the businesses and individuals that have stepped forward to assist in sponsoring the Kroger Poker Run for the Fund.  If you would like to sponsor and join the growing list of supporters, please contact the CKCF at 618-457-5200 ext. 67843.

Registration Instructions:

Please register online in advance and you will receive an email confirmation of your registration.  Download a Rider Release Form for each rider, complete and bring to the Express/Preregistered line the day of the event.

Or you may download the Registration and Rider Release Forms, complete and bring to your local Kroger stores Customer Service counter anytime before the event.  Then bring your receipt to the Express/Pre Registered Line the day of the event. 

We look forward to your involvement and appreciate your support of the Coach Kill Cancer Fund.  A special thanks to Kroger for caring enough to give back to our communities in southern Illinois and western Kentucky.

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