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Reliable Heating & Air Sponsors Charity Run

Poker Run a Success for Charities

Records are meant to be broken and that’s just what happened with this year’s Pirates of Lanier Poker Run, sponsored by Lanier Partners of North Georgia. With more than 280 boats, three days of activities, a laser show and fireworks, the event raised just over $173,000. “It’s all for the kids,” said Rea Williams, president of Lanier Partners, the non-profit organization that has organized the Pirates of Lanier Poker Run for the past four years. “Every year our goal is to double the money raised from the previous year, and – thanks to our sponsors, the community and our participants – we did just that.” The festivities raised money for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Camp Sunshine and Naval Special Warfare Kids. Not only did the event exceed its fundraising goal, the Poker Run netted a huge economic impact for Lake Lanier and the community. “People came from all over the country to participate. They ate out, went to grocery stores, bought gas and spent money on lodging. Our three-day event impacted the area positively and economically for at least six days,” Williams said. Legacy Lodge at Lake Lanier Islands Resort and the Buford Comfort Inn were both sold out for the weekend; the Flowery Branch Hampton Inn accepted overflow visitors. “We were blown away by the number of people who came to Lake Lanier who had never been here before and discovered what those of us who live and play here already know. It is simply amazing.” Starting with the Thursday night “Meet and Greet” at Gianni’s at Lake Lanier Islands, the stage was set for a memorable weekend. Williams said that a steady stream of supporters filled Gianni’s. The raft-up “Cheeseburger in Paradise,” sponsored by Norman’s Landing, drew more than 120 people to a special island cookout on Friday. The big party – the Captains’ celebration – took place on Friday night at Holiday Marina with displays of beautiful powerboats and people clamoring for tickets to enjoy the evening. Landlubber tickets at $25 each helped to raise more than $20,000 from that event alone, Williams said. More than 280 boats – from pontoons and cruisers to offshore powerboats – participated in the two-stage poker run. The smaller boats launched from various marinas; the larger boats did a long run from Buford Dam north to Gainesville. All the cash winners donated their prize money back to the children’s charities. “People really rallied for our cause – the kids,” Williams said. “We couldn’t have done it without everyone chipping in. Our sponsors went well beyond what we expected.”

Reliable Heating and Air, www.reliableair.com was the presenting sponsor. Other major supporters included Lake Lanier Islands Resort, the Marine Trade Association of Metropolitan Atlanta, the RuffWood Foundation, Cox Media Group, Holiday Marina, Heritage Printing & Quick Copy and Lanier Harbor Marina. “This event was about having fun and we heard from so many people that they’d never been to a poker run that was this much fun and this well organized,” Williams said. “Our goal was a safe and fun family event and that’s just what we did. We’re still getting e-mails from people who participated saying how impressed they were and how much fun they had.” Saturday night’s party at Sunset Cove celebrated captains, crews and sponsors. It was a coveted ticket for an evening that featured the islands’ first-ever laser show followed by a fireworks spectacular. Ed Roland and the Sweet Tea Project performed on the floating stage. So how will Lanier Partners top this year’s extravaganza? Already, the date has been set, but it will not be announced for several months. Williams said that the board is planning for next year and starting to line up sponsors. “We’re so blown away by this year’s event, but next year will be even better,” Williams said. “We’re looking forward to getting started and doing all that we can to help the kids who benefit from our fundraising event on Lake Lanier.”