Gilbert's American Legion Post 927 Riders brought out the full house to support servicemen and women in need with Operation Touch of Home at Saturday's Poker Run.

"The hope is to fundraise for Operation Touch of Home," said Maria Augustino-Bentzoni of Operation Touch of Home in Monroe County. "We are an all volunteer-based organization that reaches out to the community for support in sending packages to our troops."The fundraising that we do is to cover the postage and the expense of those packages, and we're sending them out to military personnel that are serving in harm's way, in combat units, that can't get supplies."Riders' fees, along with proceeds from the sale of shirts, hats and more, all went toward the supply fund. Operation Touch of Home has established a website featuring a list of items that soldiers have requested, from protein bars to shampoo to puzzle books.Augustino-Bentzoni said that Operation Touch of Home has shipped out packages to more than 5,000 troops so far.Part of the novelty of Saturday's event was the poker element, combining an already enjoyable ride with a game of chance."Each rider comes in to register, they get their card from the deck to start their hand, and then they go to their three different stops, and that will give them their playing hand. Once they come back here, we have lunch for them. They'll produce their hand, and we have prizes for the best hands, first, second and third place," Augustino-Bentzoni said.Saturday's journey ran from Post 927 to Red Castle Brewery in Lehighton, then on to Pocono Raceway, followed by Paul's House in Jonas, and looped back to the post.Rich Craig, a Navy veteran and avid Legion Rider, has been participating in just about every Legion event that has come up over the years, seeking to help fellow servicemen and women, along with the community as a whole."Events like this collect money so that the organization can help individuals wherever it's needed," Craig said."It's not just old men drinking beer. It's community projects, it's all those programs, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, supporting Valor and Paul's House."And while the strategic element of poker that leads to a victory was largely left to random chance, riders didn't seem to mind, as long as their contributions were going to help those in the service."I'd say my chances are 50/50," rider Les Sharp said after he picked a card at the registration booth. "It's a good cause. Touch of Home has been out here for a long time. They do good things for our servicemen. I'm a veteran myself, and I try to support other veterans. We need to give back a little bit. Everyone needs to give back a little bit to those who made it possible for us to live in this country."Operation Touch of Home President Tammy Gower was happy with the close-knit group of Legion Riders who turned up to help out, and looked forward to more support at upcoming Operation Touch of Home projects to help out military personnel."We have a comedy show coming up in September for military appreciation. We have a tricky tray coming up in October, and all proceeds go to help purchase essentials and cover shipping costs for Operations Touch of Home," she said.While a box of snacks, a pack of cough drops, or even some water guns may seem like an insignificant contribution, Navy veteran and biker Bob Dailey said that the impact is something truly intangible to those who are serving away from home."Unless you're the guy or girl over there going through it, you will never appreciate the true value in that little bit of help that these things provide," he said.