Saturday, August 1st, we held the Make-A-Wish Golf Cart Poker Run here on Kelleys. The weather was a bit iffy with a few sprinkles and lots of clouds but we had a fantastic fun day. Thank you to The Island House for hosting our morning Registration this year (and for years to come).
Kelleys Island Wine Co/Cantina went over and above at the end of the Run serving everyone and Markie Mark rocked the crowd. 72 baskets and 10 super prizes were raffled off along with the 50/50. The Island Market had a Make-A-Wish jug out and Rob Watkins doubled everything in the jug, donating over $1,400. Thank you, Rob. Do it Best (in Medina) donated 2 Lawn Mowers and 2 Milwaukee Drill Sets, thanks to Paige & Rocky Allen. Val Walton was phenomenal at collecting donations from; The Columbus Blue Jackets, 1812 Food & Spirits, Amarone Italian Restaurant, The Backyard Pickleball & Social Club, Big Boppers Restaurant, Bob Adamov, Barnes Nursery, Browns Dairy Dock, Century 21 Bolte Realty, Dock’s Beach House, Erie Market, Friendship/Beck Suppliers, Gideon Owen Winery, Hampton Inn, Hangin with the Buoys, Jet Express, Latitude Cafe, Mary’s Blossom Shop, Miller Boat Line, Mutach’s Market, Netty’s, Orchard Bar & Table, Pink Perch, Rocky Point Winery & Red Fern Inn, Sandusky Yacht Club, Studio A, Thistle Dew Greens, TNT Horticulture and Tru Luv Jewlers. Many thanks Val.
Kelleys Island always steps up and supports us with donations of gift cards and merchandise. Thanks to KI Clothing Co., KI Coffee Shop, the Hippy Shop, Uncle Dik’s, Sand Trap, Caddy Shack, Island House, Villa, Bridge off the Island, Pump, Cathy’s Wired Art, General Store, Village Peddler, Groove, Capt. Corner, Casino, West Bay, a’ La Chic Salon, Papa T’s Ice Cream, KI Winery & Cantina and the Healing Room. A total for the Poker Run came to over $16,000.00 Great Day!
Sunday morning, August 2nd the Wish children & families were transported over and given golf carts all donated by Kelleys Island Ferry Boat Line and Seaway Marina. Thank you to the James Palladino family. At about 10am Cindra, Caylin (Cindra’s grandddaughter) & I (Jeni) jumped into the water on the West side of Kelleys to 1-3 foot waves coming out of the south east. Watching the weather, we knew we needed to hurry. Once around to the south side by Palladino’s West dock the swim became easier and we cruised in to the Casino after 1 1/4 hours. Thanks to our husbands, sons & daughters following us & keeping us safe, we came in early to a small group of Wish families and friends. We had a party to follow at the Ball Park Pavilion. Thanks to The Pump for providing Perch & Chicken Fingers, Caddy Shack for Pizza, my son-in-law for smoked pulled pork & Tofts Dairy for Ice Cream. We ate like kings. The Balloon Vibe Guy was there to thrill the children with balloon animals and more. Santa & Mrs. Claus came and handed out presents to all the children. Mother Nature then dumped a minor flood of water on our afternoon. All in all, it was a great week-end. Total so far is over
$58,000.00. With each wish costing approx. $10,000.00 we are almost to 6 wishes to be granted. That’s 6 children having their dreams come to with a wish.
Next Years Poker Run will be held on Saturday, July 31st, with the swim on Sunday, August 1st. So, plan your vacation around this fun and inspiring event.
If you would still like to donate, checks can be made out to Make-A-Wish and sent to:
Make-A-Wish
PO Box 517, Kelleys Island, Ohio 43438
Or Make-A-Wish US Bank
205 W. Perkins Ave Sandusky, Ohio 44870
