To the Editor:

Wow! Let us just start out by saying one big wow. We, the Helderberg American Legion Riders Post 977 in Altamont, held our third annual Poker Run this past Saturday to raise money to support area veterans programs, and the event was a tremendous success thanks to all of those involved.           

We would like to thank everyone who helped make this such an enormous success. Thanks to all of the volunteers, the sponsors and donors, and all of those who did the legwork to bring in the donations.

A big thanks to the auxiliary of Legion Post 977 for all of the work they did. Thanks to Chelsea Aryn for your time and money raised. And a big thank-you to all of those who rode with us on this amazing day. You all were a big part of our success and we hope you enjoyed the day.

We would also like to extend a big thank-you to the Voorheesville Volunteer Fire Department for providing a starting point for registration and for donating the proceeds from the breakfast sandwiches and coffee. Thanks to the Greenville American Legion Post for having a stop there and providing food for the riders. We also thank Nick’s Waterfall House and the American Tavern for hosting stops along the ride. Without you we would not have been able to have our event be so successful.

The Helderberg American Legion Riders would like to extend a special thanks to Doug Bauer, of AllSquare Wealth Management in Guilderland, for his generous donation. Doug is making a $10,000 donation to our poker run. His donation will tremendously help us in our mission to provide assistance to area veterans. Thank you, Doug!

With all of that said, we have exceeded our goal we set for this year’s poker run. Thank you to everyone. You should all be proud to be a part of this great event.

A closing note: This year, the ride was dedicated to an area veteran and dear friend to many, BU3 Robert Delaney, United States Navy Seabee (retired) who passed away on August 23, 2015.  Bob was well known and liked in the community. To name a few things: He was veteran, a volunteer firefighter for the town of Knox for 45 years, and a Boy Scout troop leader for Berne-Knox-Westerlo Troop 1079.

We also paid tribute to Jean Forti, who passed away on Aug. 25, 2015.  Jean was a friend to many and very active in the Hilltown community. We rode through the Knox town park where a celebration of her life was being held.

God Bless both of you and may you rest in peace.

Al Gaige

on behalf of

American Legion Riders Post 977