Representatives with the Medicine Hat Vintage Vehicle Club raised $16,000 for HALO Air Ambulance during its third annual Fun Poker Ride held earlier in September.--SUBMITTED PHOTO
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HALO Air Ambulance was presented a $16,000 cheque from members of the Medicine Hat Vintage Vehicle Club after hosting its annual Fun Poker Ride on Sept. 8.
The ride, which was open to members of the public, kicked off in the parking lot of Murray Chevrolet Cadillac and had drivers visit five locations to receive one playing card that would count toward their poker hand at the conclusion of the ride.
Registration was $20 per rider and took motorists to stops including City Motor Parts, Macdesign Screenworks and Crowsnest Cones in Seven Persons.
The Fun Poker Ride fundraiser started in 2021 after members of the Vintage Vehicle Club decided to hold a charity fundraiser for HALO that involved vehicles, but was more inclusive than a ‘show n shine’ car event.
Last year the Fun Poker Ride raised $5,000 to help keep HALO in flight. On Monday HALO received this year’s donation of $16,000 during a cheque presentation at the regional airport, triple the amount raised in 2023.
“We are so incredibly blessed when these organizations choose us,” Paul Carolan, chief executive with HALO, told the News earlier this month. “We’re very fortunate to have groups like this in the community that pick HALO, and to me there’s almost no greater compliment.”
This year’s Fun Poker Ride concluded at the Irvine Hotel with a silent auction, door prizes and a presentation from HALO representatives.
