MACHIAS — Motorcyclists and community members are invited to take part in the Taco Poker Run, a benefit ride in support of Jon Bradshaw, a fellow rider who is a hit-and-run survivor. The event kicks off at 9 a.m. Saturday, July 12, at the Spar Tree Tavern, 106 W. Stanley St. in Granite Falls.
This February, Bradshaw was struck by a distracted driver while riding his motorcycle in Machias on OK Mill Road. Since the crash, he has undergone numerous surgeries. He faces a long and difficult recovery. A portion of his skull was removed due to the severity of his injuries, and he must wear a helmet full-time as part of his healing process. The poker run is being held to help Bradshaw and his family manage the ongoing medical and living expenses as he remains unable to work.
The truck swerved fully into his lane and hit his motorcycle head-on, Bradshaw told TV station KCPQ-13.
John Fosdick, one of the poker run’s co-organizers, met Bradshaw after the crash. The desire to help out with the poker run comes from a shared brotherhood of riders, he said.
“(Bradshaw) is a creative young man who was working hard on improving his future before suffering a serious setback by a tragic accident,” Fosdick said.
“There is a strong bond amongst many motorcyclists, and we look out for, and try to help out our own. To many of us, anybody out there on two wheels is family. It comes from the basic understanding that each and every ride could be our last,” Fosdick said.
“Poker runs are events that the motorcycle community puts on for various fundraising purposes, oftentimes a charity or a benefit such as this one. The number of participants varies depending on a variety of factors. There are several competing runs at different locations on this July 12th date. We are expecting attendance to be a minimum of 30 bikes, but sometimes there can be upwards of 200.”
The event is hosted by Riders Remembered Memorial Park, Sky Valley ABATE, Saints and Angels of Damnation MC, and Great Motorcycle Rides Washington.
Attendees who don’t ride are encouraged to stop by around 3 p.m. for tacos, a 50/50 raffle, and a live auction.
A fundraiser for Bradshaw is at www.gofundme.com/f/aid-for-jonathans-family-in-crisis So far, donors have collectively given more than $4,500.
