Maybe i'm in the wrong place, but would anyone be interested in doing a Poker Run for a very good cause? I'm looking for someone to organize one as well as others to particapate. A good friend of mine needs a life saving surgery, but she doesn't have anywhere close to the money she needs to pay for it. She is a single mother who was ridden with multiple clubs and has seen her share of the open road. She has done things for Easy Rider Magazine in the past, and is looking forward to getting back on her feet so she can do it again. Any advice or help would be appreciated.

contact easy rider magazine, it's a start.

She's tried that already, believe me i would not be on here unless we were out of ideas.

Look, i realize it's alot to ask. I plan on helping to organize as much as i can, but i just don't know how to get started. And, to be perfectly honest, i've never been the type to just walk up to people i don't know and start a conversation.

or the dealership where u or her bought ur last harley davidson (hopefully there because that's one corporation that might actually help u)

try putting it in writing and throw in an incentive like having people meet or end up at their bike shop to promote the shop and put the shop on all the comminques for promo purposes

but as it is a project that you really wanna see happen - if u don't spearhead it , it prolly won't happen

Yeah, i was afraid someone would say that, but i can barely balance a check book, which is why i don't have one. I don't believe she owns a bike, usually just likes riding with her arms around someone else. And i don't ride, i'm just a friend trying desperately to help her out. Truth is, i've never even tried anything like this before, i usually just end up following.

'round these parts we have a bbq and sell plates. if you have a printer, print tickets. some people buy tickets, but don't show up for the plates. so sell tickets and have a pick up time scheduled. then after the time ends sell the remaining plates to walk ups

oh and have a tip jar set up where the plates are being picked up with her pic

You can try contacting Yankees Tavern in Carlos, TX! They have bike rallys nearly every weekend and will know the ins & outs of fundraisers. They are great people that love giving advice/helping people when they can!

Michigan bikers meetups, groups, etc. BON (bikerornot.com) should have various and assorted events going on.

Thanks esebulldog, the bbq things is a good idea. Um... I don't know how much money one could raise with that though. What she needs is a few hundred thousand, and i just don't think one could get that charging $10-15 a plate. I will google that place in Texas and see what they say. :)

A few hundred thousand??????

Look at it this way. That's a couple of thousand people at $100. each.
Not to mention expenses. You're not going to raise that kind of cash with one poker run or bake sale.

Start small, print up fliers and stick em up on lights poles and in local biker bars. Give away prizes. Get the local TV and news papers involved. It's going to take a lot of work to raise that kind of cash in this economy.

I know, it's ALOT of money. She has particapated in Poker Runs before, and maybe she just got lucky, but one was $650 per person. It doesn't need to be a poker run, but it just seems like would be the easiest way to raise that kind of money. Well, unless I were running for some kind of office.

wow.......idk if i would call $650 lucky, generous, yes. i've never known a poker run to be more than a $25 entrance fee, and that included a 50/50 on the total fee collected to the winner and a party at the end. maybe i just know cheapscapes. wish i had some good advice, all i can say is good luck with this, and all the best to your friend.

Thanks bastet, awesome pic by the way. That was what she told me, i wasn't there for it, and it was after she took her meds. :)

the plate sale won't raise 100 g's. it's a few hundred at best. the tip jar may bring in an extra hundred. you need some serious help. the hospital she is going to will have a person there that can help her fill out forms for financial aid. carelink is a program here in san antonio that assists people in paying for medical bills (they charge you by your income), maybe there is a similar program where you live. maybe medicade

I'm not a biker. But, maybe I can help with some ideas. I've done several fundraisers & do my own flyers. Have you contacted a local bank in her area to set up a fund? Then advertise in the local paper where to send donations. Someone else mentioned financial aid. Try that too. The best place for advice is her Dr's office. I'm sure they could help point you in the direction other patients have gone to raise money for surgeries. Once you figure out the details I may be able to help out by designing the flyer & emailing it to you to print out copies to circulate. Just stand on the street & pass them out to everyone who walks by. I actually made up T-Shirts once for an event & emailed the pics to be printed & ironed on their shirts. Unfortunately it will initially cost a few bucks to get the word out to raise money. Set up some jars with her name, pic, medical condition asking for donations. Go around to local pizza places, restaurants, etc & ask them if you can set up a jar in their establishment.