July 2025 - Issue #324

by: Jake “rooSter” Smith

had been told by our goc chapter president about a medical fundraising organization that was holding a poker run in Fort Mill, SC. I read about ‘All Things Possible’ and I didn’t want to miss their poker run because I believe in what they do for the community. They raise money in order to buy used wheelchair vans and then give those vans to people who need a wheelchair accessible vehicle. According to their founder Lisa Sexton, they are the only non-profit organization in the US that raises money for these wheelchair vans.

It had been raining that morning. I waited until the last minute before I threw a leg over my bike in hopes of the rain clearing out of town. I’d been watching the radar on my weather app all morning and I saw the break coming. It was about 9:15 am when I left the house and I ran to the ATM in Belmont to get some cash out as a donation to the poker run. Fort Mill wasn’t too far away but I was going to get there right at 10 am. I hopped on I-85 and then to 485 to carry me to a destination called, “The Barn” in Fort Mill.

I was riding solo to this poker run because most of our Guardians of the Children Gastonia Chapter were attending the local “Creekside Rally” in Dallas, NC. We had our tent setup there with T-shirts, hats and literature to raise awareness and educate in the fight against child abuse. The ride there was full of traffic but soon I dipped off the interstate and into country roads I’d never ridden. This is what I like about poker runs that aren’t local, I learn new roads and meet new people.

When I said earlier, I was cutting it close on time, well let’s just say I arrived in timely fashion at 9:57 am. I might have made up a few minutes thanks to that Milwaukee 8. Everyone was lining up their bikes and getting ready to ride. I quickly found a parking spot and went to the check-in table. I was greeted by a kind lady named Barbara Adkins and a young man in a power chair named Tanner. Tanner was very excited to see all the bikes that were there for the event.

After sign-in and my donation I filed in line with the rest of the riders, and we headed to the first QT gas station to draw

Tanner, despite his disability, loved to text and play on his phone. Barbara told me his story and how Tanner wants to also give back to the community. Being that he was a recipient of one of their wheelchair vans, he wants others with disabilities to be able to do what he is now able to do. Tanner now gets to go out on vacations to see the mountains, which is his favorite place to go. He loves going to the grocery store, going to see Christmas lights, and is an avid church member on Sundays.

our card like any poker run. I met Mike Sexton there who is husband to Lisa, the founder of All Things Possible. He was happy with the turnout, and we spoke a little more about their organization. The next QT gas station stop was further away this time but was also on the way to Doghouse HarleyDavidson which was another place I wanted to go that day. I made sure to take pictures like I always do. When we got to Doghouse, Tanner was there with Barbara, and he was who we drew our cards from.

Tanner, despite his disability, loved to text and play on his phone. Barbara told me his story and how Tanner wants to also give back to the community. Being that he was a recipient of one of their wheelchair vans, he wants others with disabilities to be able to do what he is now able to do. Tanner now gets to go out on vacations to see the mountains, which is his favorite place to go. He loves going to the grocery store, going to see Christmas lights, and is an avid church member on Sundays.

Doghouse’s event coordinator Marley was hosting an event that day which including a dice roll game. The objective was to roll the dice on a board and spell HARLEY. If you spelled Harley, you’d win $5000 dollars to spend at the dealership. I had high hopes, but ended up only getting the letter A. I finished my day early there at Doghouse Harley. I got a few contact numbers so our Chapter can come back to their event again. We often take our bodies for granted. We don’t realize how difficult things would be if we had no mobility, reduced strength or coordination. I’m glad All Things Possible exists, www.allthingspossible.org.