A group of motorcycle enthusiasts known collectively as the Nursing Home Riders will conduct their seventh annual poker run Saturday as a means to raise funds for the group’s annual Christmas holiday visit to area nursing homes and assisted living facilities.

Sign-up for Saturday’s ride will begin at 11 a.m. and continue until noon at the Westside Bar, 715 West Second Street, Rushville.

Once on the road, the group will make stops at Maplewood in Connersville, the Laurel Hotel in Laurel and the Bayshore Inn at Lake Santee prior to returning to the Rushville Eagles Lodge, 221 West First Street.

The cost of the ride is $10 for each participant. The fee includes a dinner once the group reaches the Eagles Lodge and feature an auction of various donated items to raise additional funds.

All monies generated are used to make the Christmas holiday season a little brighter for those individuals in local nursing homes.

All ages and forms of vehicles are welcome to participate in the event, including the dinner and auction, which will be held in the second floor banquet room of the Eagles Lodge.

For those in a position to assist but unable to ride Saturday, financial contributions can be made at Wells Fargo Bank earmarked for the Nursing Home Riders. Participants and donators will also receive a T-shirt commemorating the event.

Regardless of the weather or temperature, each year the riders (complete with Santa Claus, aka Mike Clark) visit nursing homes in the days leading up to Christmas, spreading cheer and goodwill. In years past, the group has also taken along a vintage motorcycle for residents to sit on and have their picture taken with.

Armed with nearly 300 gift bags, the Rush County “elves” have made their stops for six years. The seniors they greet and meet seem to enjoy the visit as much as the bikers themselves.

Additional information can be obtained by contacting Pam at (765) 938-3176 or Gail at (765) 932-3686.

Frank Denzler can be contacted at (765) 932-2222 ext. 106 or via e-mail at frank.denzler@rushvillerepublican.com. To add a comment to this story visit our Web site at www.rushvillerepublican.com.