Riders give back to communities

Small communities grow big hearts. Cabinet Ridge Riders (CRR) is no exception to that statement.

Three times a year CRR organizes events to raise funds that help support the community in multiple ways. Shellie Anderson, CRR member, said the club "has three Poker Run events each year. Snowmobiling in February, ATV in June and horseback riding also in June."

Funds collected by the non-profit organization, through sponsorship of these events, "are all given back to the community in some way or another," Anderson said. She continued by giving a list of the many recipients who have graciously accepted gifts from the riders. The group helps organizations, but Anderson said they also help individuals who need financial help with medical needs or who have had a catastrophic event.

"If people ask for help, we help," Anderson said.

In the last three years, CRR has granted almost $36,000 to the local community. This amount was dispersed in multiple ways: selected graduating seniors in the area received $9,000 in scholarships, $2,500 was donated to locals supporting cancer and multiple sclerosis charities, $10,000 to residents in need of assistance due to hardships, more than $1,800 to local schools, and almost $13,000 to the county supporting food banks, baseball programs, ambulance services, community improvement efforts, senior centers, kids fishing day events, hunters education programs, horse shows and the annual Huckleberry Festival.

Jim Morkert, long-time CRR member, recalls the group forming 27 years ago. Some of the original founders are Glenn Smith, Harry Stiles, Gary Collier and Dave Schopp.

"There are others," said Morkert. "Those are just a few who stick out in my mind right now."

The group has 140 members, according to Morkert, who stated that most are out-of-state and enjoy attending CRR events. He emphasized that members living locally are definitely the backbone of the club. They are the ones doing the work necessary to host CRR sponsored occasions, such as the annual snowmobile Poker Run scheduled for Feb. 10 in Trout Creek.

The Poker Run consists of riding a designated route and making stops at checkpoints where playing cards will be dealt. Players, who are dealt top poker hands at the end of the event, will be rewarded with various prizes.

For more information about the Poker Run, contact the Lakeside Resort at (406) 827-4458.

Courtesy photo

CABINET RIDGE RIDERS are preparing for the annual Poker Run being held Saturday, Feb. 10. Registration is Friday, Feb. 9, 5-8 p.m., and Saturday, Feb. 10, 7:30-10:30 a.m. at Lakeside Resort.