Annual Kamaniskeg Poker Run – July 29th, 2023
The Kamaniskeg Area Property Owners Association (KAPOA) Poker Run raises funds for the purchase of crucial medical equipment required by the St. Francis Memorial Hospital in Barry’s Bay, Ontario. This hospital provides emergency services to residents, cottagers and visitors to the area numbering in excess of 10,000 people. The demand for funding emergency equipment is a constant need, either to purchase new types of equipment using new technologies, or replacing older equipment. Purchasing this equipment is not covered by Provincial Government sources and becomes a local responsibility. Over the years it is likely that you have utilized the services provided by St. Francis Memorial Hospital and find comfort in knowing that this is available to us a short distance from many of our residences or cottages.
This year’s event has set a goal of raising $27,000 for the purchase of a baby isolette which is used in the ER for emergency deliveries. It can be used for an expected pre-term labour and delivery in the Emergency Department or used if a baby is involved in a motor vehicle accident or when a baby experiences respiratory distress. The equipment will be equipped with a heat source to maintain a baby’s core temp during treatments which is important to prevent shock and to ensure good outcomes for pediatrics. This is a critical piece of equipment and will be used to care/treat any infant while waiting for a CHEO transport team or Toronto area to come and transport the baby to tertiary care if required.
The Poker Run will be held on Saturday July 29th starting at the Barry’s Bay boat launch at 9AM and finishing at Hinterland Beach, and will be followed by a luncheon at the beach. Cost to enter a boat is $200 per boat, or, if you can’t make the date in person, you can enter a virtual boat and your poker hand will be drawn randomly for you by the organizers. If neither of these options are available to you, you can make a donation to the Poker Run and it will be pooled with monies raised towards achieving our community goal. Entry fees and donations are eligible for a tax receipt issued to each person by the Foundation.
For those who have never participated in a Poker Run, the event is not a race. It should be a relaxing ride around Kamaniskeg Lake, and along the river. You do not need a high speed boat, rather any boat is fine. It is the perfect way to see the area and meet others from the community, while raising funds for a great cause. Participants are expected to follow all the rules for safe boating to make this an enjoyable day for all and will be provided with maps of the dock locations and reviewed at the time of registration. There will be 7 docks, the last at Hinterland Beach, where your team Poker hand is turned in. Boats start at the boat launch and move from one dock to another in any order and at each dock draw a card. Once the cards are turned in to event organizers all entries are reviewed (virtual and in person) and the 3 best poker hands are eligible for prizes, 1st prize – $750; 2nd prize – $500; 3rd prize- $250.
This year’s event will include recognition of the most festive dock (voted on by the participants) and best/festive boat (voted on by the dock hosts). Several sponsors have stepped up to help offset the cost of hosting the event. Please consider entering before June 16th to be eligible for our early bird prize (Deluxe Cornhole set). Entry forms and details can be found on the Poker Run Facebook Page or Instagram Page, or on KAPOA’s website.
