Poker Run a Roaring Success

Devin Hock Memorial Fund Benefits $1,450.00

I am continually amazed at the enormous generosity of the members of SOCALM.  Gathering together in Camarillo on July 10, the participants of the Making A Difference Poker Run opened their hearts and wallets to help fight childhood brain cancer.  Through the sale of raffle tickets, we raised over $500, bringing the net proceeds to $725.  The surprise, however, was when Cindy Hock, Devin Hock’s mother, announced that her employer, Wachovia Security, would provide matching funds.  So, the total amount the memorial fund receives is $1,450.00.

Saturday was a wonderful day, truly blessed from the beginning.  After weeks of fog and overcast skies, the day dawned clear and sunny.  Tom & Marna got their E-Z Up and tables set up bright and early in the end of the cul-de-sac in front of the Country Inn and Suites.  Juli Davis and Gwen Vilbrandt were all ready with registration when the first participants arrived at 8:00am.  Along with their registration packet - which included the run direction, meal tickets and t-shirts – each participant received a goodie bag donated by Maguier’s.  Those who got the optional lunch picked up their Quiznos sandwiches and sodas from Donna and Gary Nelson.

Soon it was time for the field volunteers to depart.  Dot Bailey got to wait in the shade at Foster Park, where everyone drew their second card.  Bill and Doreen Bryant manned the third card stop, and last available rest stop.  Dean Rudenauer and Brian Bousman had the most exposed stop on a curve along the ridge of the Santa Ynez Mountains.  Luckily, Dean had his E-Z Up to provide some shade.

Since this was the first Poker Run SOCALM has sponsored, and the first for many of the participants, the driver’s meeting included detailed instructions about the unique attributes of this event.  Unlike most events we do, a Poker Run is an individual activity.  Everyone has the direction and the cars leave at one-minute intervals.  Of course, once on the road, they could pair up if they wanted to and single drivers were encouraged to do just that.  We were going through parts of southern California which we had not been to before, so everyone was also encouraged to go at their own pace and stop whenever they wanted to sightsee.  Of course there was a deadline, to give us time to get back and score the poker hands.

The formalities over, we were ready to depart.  Cindy Hock handed out the first card, while her friend Dennis Crispin gave everyone a bottle of water.  The adventure was underway.  When planning the run, one of the goals we set was to get from Camarillo to Solvang without getting on the freeway.  In doing this, we found some beautiful residential areas, some awesome ocean views, and some challenging twisties.

To add a bit of challenge for the passengers, we also had a Trivia Contest.  On the pre-runs, we had taken 8 photos and participants were asked either what was missing or what the mileage was of each item.  It is funny how the ocotillo plant in plain sight on Foothill Avenue was missed but everyone found the bell tower behind the tree.  Of course, we had to throw in the infamous missing item – just our luck the property owner chose now to remove the 5-year-old Hawaiian shack and put in a new driveway.

After a few wrong turns and lots of beautiful vistas, everyone found their way to the Santa Inez Mission where Tom & Marna waited in the parking lot with the last card draw.  Some even visited the mission to be able to answer the bonus question on the Trivia Contest.  Then the rest of the afternoon was free time.  Some went shopping in Solvang while others explored some of the awesome roads in Santa Barbara County.

We arrived at Ottavio’s Italian Restaurant to find the banquet room waiting for us.  While everyone ate their dinner, we handed out awards and raffle prizes.  While no one got a Royal Flush to win the new Miata, Kevin and Roger Vaden got a full house (2 queens, 3 eights) to win Best Hand.  Worst Hand was achieved by Mike and Lou Morisoli with the 7-clubs, 9-diamonds, 8-spades, 5-spades, and 2-diamonds.  These two winners received mugs engraved by the Knobmeister.  Our Most Observant Award recipient was Jason Bardis and Rox Tan and the winner of the Head-in-the-Clouds Award went to Jan Wagner.  These two winners received Miata models donated by Gary and Donna Nelson.

We want to thank everyone who donated raffle prizes and all who bought raffle tickets.  The results are listed below.  And again, thank you to all who helped to make this a very successful event by attending, volunteering and opening their hearts and wallets.

Raffle Prize Winners