4239 W. Ina Road Ste. 101
Tucson, Arizona 85741
Ph: 520.744.9595
Fax: 520.744.2127


Poker Run 2004

On February 14th 2004, over 200 riders participated in PYP's 7th Annual Sweetheart Poker Run, a beautiful 100-mile course that took them from Desert Diamond Casino through southern Tucson, out to Vail, and back to the Desert Diamond Casino.

For the 7th year, the Tucson Harley Owners Group (HOGs) won the trophy for the highest rider participation. Sunriders and AZX Riders tied for second.place for ridership.

Riders tried their hand at events of skill (and luck) at 4 stops along the way in an effort to win high (or low) cards to add to their Poker Hand: Heartburn, Swingers, Tunnel of Love, and Cupid's Heart.

Raffle tickets were sold for dozens of raffle prizes donated for the event. Congratulations to all the winners!

 

Stop 1: Heartburn

Armed with water pistols, riders attempted to put out paper hearts that have been lit on fire, leaving a square inch. If they succeeded, they choose a card at random from the short deck of high cards (starting with 10s). If they failed, they chose a card at random from the full deck of cards.

 

 

Stop 2: Swingers

Using only their "equipment" — that is, a tennis ball dropped down one leg of a pair of panty hose, while the other leg was tied around their waist — riders tried to knock another tennis ball into a goal at the end of a runway in under 2 minutes. Since they couldn't use their hands to "steer", they had to work hard to aim with their hips... and boy were some of these leather-clad hips limber! If they succeeded, they chose from either the high half deck (starting with 10s) or low half deck (9s and down). If they were unable to do the event, or did not meet the time limit, they chose a card from the full deck.

 

 

 

Stop 3: Tunnel of Love

Using only their feet, riders propelled themselves on moving dollies through a maze, headfirst, in under 2 minutes. The riders' ability to balance on their wheels was proven yet again!

 

 

 

Stop 4: Cupid's Arrow

The goal of this final stop was to aim for the card that would win you the highest possible score and hit it with a dart. Riders were made to stand back 15 feet from the gigantic heart, and were given the option of paying $1 for additional chances. Even though this was the last stop, riders kept their arms steady and aimed true.

 

 

 

Special thanks to:

  • Clif Payne, Captain of the HOG Road Captains, who volunteered over 50 hours to distribute over 3,000 flyers, recruit HOG volunteers, and design the route.
  • John & Clementine at Tucson Trophy for trophy donations and partial pin sponsorship.
  • Members of the Tucson Harley Owners Group (HOGs) Road Captains, who volunteered to staff the Stops: Guy and Sally, Bill and Nell Thompkins, Ralh Howard, Steve Plevel, Ed and Jessica Fraser, Kathleen and Jim Kendler, and Steven Hall.
  • PYP's Board of Directors, for raffle prize donations, committee work, building the Stops, and volunteering: Leyda Herring Rochelle Swanson, Norma Morales Rojas, Julie Stephens, Warren M. Alter, Bill Holmes, Bonnie Brooks, Kim Ferranti, Tom Kittle, Mark Jones, Cesar Ahumada, Joe Higgins, Sonya Evans-Linsell, and Mary Magill.
  • PYP Staff Volunteers for raffle prize donations, and volunteering at the Stops: April, Arcadio, Barbara, Denice, Jessica, Lorrie, Luan, Martin, Pat, and Theresa.
  • Family and Friends of Board and Staff: Harvey Brooks, Nikii Johnstun, Teri, Josh Litz, Steven Hall, and Letty for volunteering at the Stops and Registration..

 

Thanks to the Raffle Prize Donors:

Gold ($1000):

  • Tucson Harley Owners Group
  • Mrs. Elise Hendricks

Bronze ($500):

  • James E. Hall & Associates

A special thanks to:

 

 

Pictures from the 2003 Poker Run

 

Pima YOUTH Partnership (PYP) was incorporated in 1990 by a group of concerned citizens that wanted to connect rural communities with the same programs, services, and activities available to youth and families living in the metropolitan Tucson area.

As a prevention agency, PYP works with youth and families in rural and Native American communities to reach its mission, "In partnership with communities, develop resources to promote the positive growth of their children." Since 1990, PYP has grown from its original three (3) communities of Ajo, rural Marana, and Sahuarita, to include Catalina, Flowing Wells, New Pascua Yaqui Reservation, and the three (3) western districts of the Tohono O'odham Nation.