Elaine Apfelbaum developed a winning formula for the “Apples” Poker Run. For each of the past several years, she organized a fundraising event that benefits a local non-profit organization and brings hundreds of people into downtown New City for an afternoon of fun, camaraderie and good deeds. This year’s event benefits Rebuild Hi-Tor, the only animal shelter in Rockland County.
On Tuesday, Apfelbaum said the Poker Run scheduled for Sunday, March 3 was already sold out.
“I have a huge following,” she said.
She notified everyone who signed up for the event each of the past two years and many of them elected to return. Although all slots for the 54 teams composed of four “players” each have been purchased, registration is still open for the raffle pool. The entry fee costs $25 per person and $100 for a team of four. Entrants for the raffle pool will have their names put into a hat for a drawing of an oversized basket of cheer and a 50/50. Other donated prizes will be distributed to the teams as well.
Anyone interested in still registering can fill out the form ahead of time or that day starting at 11:30 a.m. The event gets underway at 12:30 p.m. at Doyler & Dunneys, on South Main Street. The captain of each team gets a playing card in a sealed envelope from the bartender at each of the participating establishments restaurants: Doyler & Dunneys, Kumo, The Club House, The Castle Inn, and La Terrazza.
Every team is required to purchase at least one beverage at each stop. The restaurants are all within walking distance. The teams will return to Doyler & Dunneys by 3:30 p.m., turn in their cards and wait for the envelopes to be opened and the top five winning teams declared.
Apfelbaum, who is a senior recreation supervisor for the Town of Clarkstown, is looking forward to the event. About $8,000 was raised each of the past two years for People to People and the Helen Hayes Hospital Foundation.
For more information or to enter, contact Apfelbaum at 845-634-6645 or elaapples@aol.com.
