Along with a substantial $35,000 in donations being made to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central New York, the non-profit organization behind the second annual 1000 Islands Charity Poker Run in Clayton, N.Y., also raised another $7,500 for River Hospital and at least an additional $2,500 to surrounding EMS and Fire agencies.

The generous boaters who participated in the second annual 1000 Islands Charity Poker Run in New York gave out many rides (below, click to enlarge) and helped raise thousands of dollars. Photo courtesy Horizon Aerial Media Services   

“We hope to be able to provide three wishes for the Make-A-Wish foundation with our donation,” said Nolan Ferris, one of the event’s dedicated committee members. “Wishes can range between $8,000 to $18,000, depending on the wish. I’m amazed by the generosity of our participants. I feel like this event, although still growing, has an incredible camaraderie between the participants, the community, the charities and the local agencies and departments. I can’t wait to see what happens next year.”

Ferris said the 2019 run is scheduled for July 18-21, and that the committee already has started coming up with new ideas for the event.

He added that he—and pretty much everyone in the crowd at this year’s poker run awards dinner—was extremely moved by five-year-old Tyler English, who took the stage at the dinner with Diane Kuppermann, the president and chief executive officer of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central New York. As part of the evening festivities, the sponsors behind the event granted his wish, which was a custom-equipped camper-trailer.

“It’s so nice to know we have such an incredible group behind this event,” Ferris said, praising the participants who donated their time and boats to give rides to kids and family members. “Seeing kids like Tyler and everything he and his families are going through really puts things into perspective. A lot of things we worry about in our everyday life aren’t really that big of a deal.”

Related stories
Hearts Of Gold And 1,000 Islands
1,000 Islands Charity Poker Run: Notes From The Afternoon Leg
1,000 Islands Charity Poker Run Coverage: Notes From The Lunch Stop