THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, March 10, 1995 TAG: 9503080196
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ERIC FEBER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 70 lines
Members of the Renegades Motorcycle Club, dressed in leather jackets, boots and long hair, look tough astride their big Harley-Davidson motorcycles.
But they have a soft spot for the homeless.
On Sunday, they'll cruise through Chesapeake to help raise money to benefit the Our House homeless shelter in South Norfolk.
The Spring Poker Run is being organized by James Rowsey, secretary/treasurer of the Chesapeake chapter of the Renegades; Steve Canady, secretary/treasurer of the Newport News Renegades; and Robbie Hamrick, national road captain and Chesapeake chapter road captain of the Renegades.
The Sunday event will have motorcyclists reading clues in order to reach specific stops. During each of the five stops, participants will draw from a deck of playing cards. The rider who completes the run and has either the best poker hand, or the worst, will win a trophy.
Trophies also will be given to the youngest rider, the oldest rider and the one who had to travel the greatest distance to the event.
After the run, participating members - and those who don't ride but would like to help - are invited to a fund-raising after-the-run party at the rally's last stop, the Double Deuce Restaurant & Lounge on Bainbridge Boulevard.
All motorcycle clubs are invited.
Bill Gray, the Double Deuce manager/owner, is throwing the party for all the bikers and non-riders afterward.
``The main rule is to show up in unity, harmony and respect,'' Gray said. ``And these guys will give you that. I'm just throwing this party for them to show our appreciation for their help.''
``Bill has been supporting the shelter for many years,'' said Yolanda McDonald, shelter manager of Our House. ``Bill's been great at feeding the homeless in the area, and he always has a Christmas party for our residents. There's nothing he wouldn't do to help us out.''
The Our House facility is located on 405 D St. in South Norfolk. It is a homeless shelter that houses up to 10 people at a time, usually two or three families, who stay anywhere from two weeks to a maximum 30 days. It receives its operating funds through donations from individuals, area churches, area businesses like the Double Deuce, civic leagues, non-profit organizations and clubs along with federal and state grants. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by STEVE EARLEY
Members of the Renegades Motorcycle Club are, from left: Steve
Canady, James Rowsy, Robbie Hamric (kneeling) and Bill Gray.
POKER FUN
WHAT: The spring Poker Run, sponsored by the Renegades Motorcycle
Club with a portion of the proceeds to benefit the Our House
homeless shelter.
WHEN: Sunday.
WHERE: Registration for the run takes place at its first stop,
the New Brickhouse Cycle Shop, 1216 S. Military Highway, Chesapeake.
Registration takes place between 9 and 11 a.m. The route runs all
through Chesapeake. The last stop is the Double Deuce Restaurant &
Lounge, 4027 Bainbridge Blvd.
DONATIONS: Registration fee is a $5 donation. Non-riders are
welcome to attend the party at the Double Deuce, beginning at about
3 p.m. A collection box at the restaurant also will be set up. Make
all checks payable to ``Our House shelter.''
CALL: More information is available by calling the New Brickhouse
shop at 420-3800 or the Double Deuce at 545-4051.
by CNB