Cancer survivor from Brooklet draws best hand in Relay for Life poker run

Savannah, Georgia -- A team of the North Bryan County Relay for Life held a Ride for a Cure poker run Nov. 10 as their first fundraiser for the 2008 event

Captain Wanda Lane, co-captain Lee Ann Lane and a team of approximately 20 members organized the 150-mile ride with five stops along the route. The team is sponsored by Two Lane Construction.

It was a chilly start to the ride, which began at 9 a.m. Saturday morning, one mile east of Pembroke at Kangeter's Package Shop on U.S. 280. Hot coffee and sausage biscuits provided by The Brew Station were available for the team members and the 37 registered riders before they took off on the three-hour ride. The course took riders to Augie's Pub in Richmond Hill, Hunter's Café in Shellman Bluff, Inject Ink Tattoos in Ludowici, TK'S Lounge in Claxton and back to Kangeter's in Pembroke - where hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, sweets and drinks were waiting for the riders.

Faye Whitaker of Brooklet, a first-time, solo rider and a cancer survivor, was the winner of the $150 cash prize with her hand of three 10s.

Drawings were held for several door prizes and a 50/50 raffle. The winner of the 50/50 raffle contributed his winnings to the American Cancer Society. Riders then enjoyed a few games with winners of each awarded prizes donated by several area businesses.

"While the turnout was not as large as we had anticipated, the event was still a success, raising close to $1,000 for the Relay for Life. I think the cool weather and the fact there were so many other things going on this weekend, including eight other poker runs and Veterans Day activities may have been factors ... It is the first time we have organized a poker run, so it was a learning experience," said Wanda Lane, who hopes to make the Ride for a Cure an annual event. Lane lost her husband to cancer almost six years ago. "Next year the event will be bigger and better."

Food for the event was donated by Lou Ann's Café and Harvey's. Prizes were donated by Harley Davidson of Savannah, Black Creek General Store, Dairy Queen, Heritage Bank, Papa's Pizza, Inject Ink Tattoos, Sink Hole Customs, Low Country Customs, Southern Barbeque and Kawasaki of Statesboro.

The North Bryan County Relay for Life Committee meets the first Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. at the Pembroke Senior Citizen Center. Jenny Miller is committee chairperson.

Kickoff for the 2008 North Bryan County Relay for Life is Feb. 8 and will include food, speakers, door prizes and a video presentation by Staff Partner Victoria Ten Broeck. This year's event is scheduled to begin April 4 at 7 p.m. at Hendrix Park. The theme will be a variety of holidays.

News Added: 24 November, 2007

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