Flint Township View

Local 598 poker run to benefit Boys and Girls Clubs





FLINT – Their charitable work has earned them the nickname “the local union with a heart,” and now members of UAW Local 598 are activating their community service super powers to help the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Flint.

Local 598 will sponsor a poker run motorcycle ride Saturday, May 19. Registration takes place from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Ray C’s Harley-Davison of Lapeer, 1491 S. Lapeer Road.

Riders will travel M-routes and country roads and collect cards at MoJoe’s Food & Spirit, 4300 N. State Road (M-15), Bullfrogs Bar & Grill, 2225 S. Ortonville Road (M-15), and Scooters Bar & Grill, 6004 Torrey Road at Hill Road. The ride ends at Union City Fields, 4193 Torrey Road.

The rider who collects the best poker hand will win $100. All participants will be treated to food and refreshments after the ride. There also will be a bake sale, silent auction and raffles.

Cost to participate is $20, or $30 for 2-up riders.

“It started with a couple of guys talking about doing something for the Boys and Girls Clubs,” said Chad Fabbro, financial secretary for the local. “So many people in the plant ride, we thought this would be a good opportunity for some fellowship and fundraising.”

Local 598 has a hand in fundraising for many charitable causes in mid-Michigan. Members routinely support – through financial contributions as well as volunteers hours – programs such as the Old Newsboys of Flint, Toys for Tots of Genesee County, Special Olympics Michigan, Habitat for Humanity, the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan, Outreach East in Davison, March of Dimes, Children’s Miracle Network and many more. Union members also give out hundreds of food baskets every year during the holidays.

Over the years, the Local 598 members have donated hundreds of thousands of dollars.

“Any time we do anything like this, it pushes us to be better and do more,” said Fabbro. “We are always trying to push ourselves to do more, and our membership just steps up.”

The Local also sponsors Sober Fest for people recovering from addiction. This year’s Sober Fest will take place July 13 to 15 at Union City Fields.

“We couldn’t do any of this without the membership,” Fabbro said. “They come through every time. What we have in Flint is special because of the people. They make us do great things.”

The Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Flint re-opened in 2004, according to information posted on their website, www.bgClubsflint.org/. The local club offers safe, educational afterschool and summer programs for nearly 2,000 youngsters age 7 to 17. About 300 kids per day participate in afterschool programs. In the summer, the club serves nearly 500 kids per day.

“The Boys and Girls Clubs do great work for these kids,” said Fabbro.

For more information, call Peggy at 810-223-4964 or Chad at 810-238- 4605.


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