When Larry Berrio first started organizing the Big Deal Poker Run in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters Greater Sudbury, it was his vision that it would be the largest poker run in Ontario.
To that end, the event, in the past, has drawn a few hundred participants. But, what Berrio said he quickly realized is, having more riders doesn't necessarily mean you're going to raise more money.
“It's not about the amount of snowmobilers we have, but the quality of riders,” Berrio said.
This year, about 60 snowmobile enthusiasts are revving their engines in anticipation for the Big Deal. On Feb. 24, they'll travel hundreds of kilometres along snowmobile trails en route to Timmins, where they'll spend the night raising even more money to help Big Brothers Big Sisters. Along the way, they'll collect cards at different pit stops, with the best poker hand at the end of the trip winning $1,000 cash.
“We found that if we kept the number to about 80 riders (this year, we are at 60, which is perfect), there's a lower overhead cost, which means more money for Big Brother Big Sisters,” Berrio said.
It's the third year the Big Deal Poker Run has been an overnight venture. Two years ago, they went to the Manitoulin Island. Last year, they went to Goganda. This year, they'll be spending the night at Cedar Meadows having dinner. Entertainment is being provided by Berrio himself.
It's thanks to Sudbury area businesses that the event is possible, he said.
“We have an incredible amount of support that has followed us over the years,” Berrio said. “There are some generous businesses in the area that have donated funding to our event, making our overhead costs very minimal.”
