Leather, Chaps, Poker & SNAPS

By Todd Curran
A rolling thunderhead of chaps and choppers rolled through the Foothills on July 24th for a charity poker rally.
The Leather 'n' Chaps… Ridin' for SNAPS Motorcycle Poker Rally kick started at Gruvstone Lounge in High River, raising money for Foothills Special Needs Association for Parents and Siblings (SNAPS). Nearly 100 participants turned out to support the event, which involves collecting cards from several destinations throughout the Foothills, to form the best poker hand. Horseback riders also joined in, leaving from Nanton around noon to meet motorcyclists in High River for the finish.
Kathy Thornhill, whose autistic son, Austin, is literally the poster boy for SNAPS, couldn't have been happier with the services the organization provides. “When a family gets a diagnosis like this, SNAPS connects you with services in the community and helps you through the system until it makes sense,” she says. “They've been phenomenal and my son is receiving an amazing amount of help.”
Participants were greeted with door prizes, supper and live entertainment; not to mention a 42” Plasma TV donated by Century 21 Foothills Real Estate for the winning poker hand. The 50/50 draw and silent auction items also contributed to raising over $7,000. “We're very excited and pleased with the outcome,” says SNAPS Executive Director Orvella Small. “We had riders from Calgary, Red Deer, the Foothills and B.C., and people making donations all along the route.”
“There are many parents with kids who have special needs in the community,” says Kathy. “It's great seeing so many people come out to support an organization that supports the people who need their help.”
For more information on SNAPS visit:
www.foothillssnaps.com.