To the Editor:

On behalf of the Helderberg American Legion Riders, we would like to thank everyone who made our Poker Run on Aug. 24 a success.

We thank all of the corporate sponsors, the businesses and individuals who donated gifts for our raffles, the many riders who supported us; and the many people who spent countless hours before, during, and after the event to ensure that we continue to be successful in our fundraising effort.

We appreciate all of the area businesses that continue to support us year in and year out, and the new ones that join us in our effort.

A huge thank-you goes to Delaware Engineering of Albany for donating the proceeds from its annual golf outing to our organization. Delaware Engineering has done this for the past three years.

We appreciate the support of the establishments that provided stopping points throughout the day: the Voorheesville Fire Department, the Schoharie County Veterans, the Chicken Run Restaurant in Windham, and the Blackthorn Resort in East Durham.

Last year, we supported many local organizations with the money we raised.

We supported the Victoria Acres Equine Center in its program for veterans suffering with PTSD [post-traumatic stress disorder], the Mountains for Miracles Woofs for Warriors canine program, the Albany Housing Coalition home for veterans, the Albany Hilltowns Christmas Fund of the Albany County Sheriff's Office, the Guardian House Shelter for women, and the Albany Veterans Hospital outreach program for homeless veterans to name a few.

We have established scholarships in five area schools for graduates who are entering a vocational or trade school. We have also donated gift cards to many area families that were in need.

We cannot stress enough how important your support is to us. We are very thankful, and blessed, to live in a community such as this. We will proudly continue to serve our local veterans and the surrounding community.

Save the date for next year’s poker run: Aug. 29, 2020.

Allan Gaige

On behalf of the Hederberg

American Legion Riders

of Altamont Post 97

and Voorheesville Post 1493