It was a special night on Friday as organizers of the annual Bolivar Peninsula Golf Cart Poker Run gathered to celebrate the success of this summer’s event. The evening’s highlight was the presentation of checks from funds raised during the August poker run, with community members and beneficiaries on hand to witness the generosity in action.
Emcee Jim Denys opened the program with heartfelt thanks to the many volunteers who worked tirelessly to make this year’s poker run a success. “This event doesn’t happen without all of you,” Denys told the crowd, noting that the time and energy contributed by so many helped turn a fun summer tradition into something that truly makes a difference.
As part of the evening, awards were also presented to the winners of the kids art contest, a popular feature of the annual poker run. Children’s creativity and enthusiasm added to the spirit of the event, reminding everyone of the importance of community involvement across generations.
In keeping with tradition, all funds collected during the poker run were earmarked for local schools and fire departments. This year, however, the evening carried an even deeper meaning. The principals and fire chiefs who were set to receive the funds made a selfless decision. Instead of keeping their shares for their own organizations, they chose to donate the money to schools and fire departments in the Texas Hill Country, which suffered devastating losses in the catastrophic flooding on July 4.
Their generosity drew applause from those in attendance. The decision ensures that the poker run’s impact reaches beyond the Bolivar Peninsula, helping fellow Texans in desperate need of support as they work to rebuild.
Center Point ISD, Ingram ISD & Hunt ISD each will receive a donation of $10, 667
Waring Volunteer Fire Department will receive a donation of $12,000
The Bolivar Peninsula Golf Cart Poker Run has always been about more than just a day of fun on the beach. It is a chance for locals and visitors alike to come together, celebrate the community, and make a meaningful difference. Friday night’s event proved that the spirit of giving is alive and well on the peninsula—and that when tragedy strikes, this community doesn’t just look inward but extends a hand outward as well.
