Bikers donate over $1,800 to toy drive

Mandy Lickteig of the Bourbon County Jail CERT team receives a check from poker run co-organizer Chuck Weyant.(submitted photo)

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The Bourbon County Sheriff's Department Corrections Division annual Christmas toy drive was given $1,877.50 to go toward buying gifts for children in the Southeast Kansas area.

"It's for a good cause," Trike Motor Poker Run Co-organizer Chuck Weyant.

Weyant said he and co-organizer Rick Whisenhunt decided they would donate their proceeds to the toy drive after meeting Mandy Lickteig of the Bourbon County Jail CERT team and leaning what care she takes of the program.

"Every penny we make is going to go right where it needs to be," Weyant said.

Last year, the annual Christmas toy drive was able to help over 10 families. Southeast Kansas Regional Correctional Center Director of Security Jimmy Nichols said they are hoping to help more this year.

"We really appreciate them stepping up and helping us out," Nichols said. "I just think it's awesome."

According to Weyant, 50 people showed up on motorcycles for the poker run which also included a hog roast with a live band after the game. Riders came from across the country, he said, some riders came from Tennessee, Iowa, all across Kansas, as well as local riders.

"Without them, it's nothing," Weyant said.

The poker run consisted of the riders buying a poker hand then traveling to five different stops. At each stop the riders drew one card, adding it to their hand. After all riders drew their fifth card their hands were shown and the person with the best hand won a percentage of the money brought in by purchasing the hands. Weyant said the men who won the poker hand and the 50/50 pot both donated their winnings back to the children.

Weyant said he and Whisenhunt are already planning next year's event. He said it will the last weekend in August.