Photo provided Flushing American Legion Riders previously donating $10,000 to the Military Freedom Tree.

FLUSHING — The Flushing American Legion Riders’ ninth annual Military Freedom Tree Poker Run is set for Saturday.

This year’s poker run will have a new starting and ending location. Riders will meet at the Belmont County Fairgrounds and can begin registering at 9 a.m., with the ride getting underway at 11 a.m. Riders will pay $20, with passengers paying $10, with all proceeds going to the Freedom Tree.

The Freedom Tree was started by Robin and Robert Thomas in 2012 as a way to give back to the people who fought for Americans’ freedoms.

Flushing American Legion Riders Director Bruce Harris said the first poker run had only 18 bikes, but last year’s event attracted more than 150 bikes and 265 participants.

“This is our ninth annual, and as of now they have 36 families that will be taken care of,” Harris said. “We do this poker run for them to raise money for their cause, and last year we handed them a check of $10,500 so it’s a pretty pretty big thing. It’s a very, very good cause and is local, it’s not a big organization, it’s local families.”

He added that this year will see the best poker hand receiving $3,000 cash and the worst poker hand receiving $1,000 cash.

Harris said each year keeps getting bigger and better.

“The first run only had 18 bikes, but this past event had more than 150 bikes,” Harris said.

He added that the ride starts at the fairgrounds, then makes its first stop in Byesville, continues to Seneca Lake, then Barnesville before returning to the fairgrounds for dinner and a party.

“We have dinner, a Chinese auction, and a live auction. We are very fortunate. Last year we had over 100 Chinese auction items,” Harris said. “It’s $20 for a rider and $10 for the passenger, but the meal I’m going to give you when you come back to the Belmont County Fairgrounds, you couldn’t buy that meal for that. Hanover Fuel Stop does all of our food for us, they smoke our chickens, so you’re going to get a half a chicken, potatoes, beans, pasta, salad, and bread. You couldn’t buy that meal for $30 nowadays.”

He added that the run is very important to the legion, and so is the fact that the organization receiving the money is local and helps local veterans.

“Not taking anything away from the big numerous organizations like Wounded Warriors that help the veterans, but this is all local,” Harris said. “They don’t go out and reach out to the veterans, because a lot of veterans are proud, but if you are a veteran and you’re struggling at Christmas time to give your family a Christmas, give these people a call and it’s astronomical what they’re going to do for you.”

He added that donations can be dropped off at the Thomas Jeep dealership, located at 67791 Mall Road.

Robin Thomas said veterans seeking assistance from the Freedom Tree can contact the dealership at 740-695-0452.