BELLE — Friends and community members came together Oct. 4 for a charity poker run to support longtime Belle resident Mike Green, who is facing health challenges. The event, organized by …
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BELLE — Friends and community members came together Oct. 4 for a charity poker run to support longtime Belle resident Mike Green, who is facing health challenges. The event, organized by Heather Drewel, Penny Wilson and Belle Mayor James (Pudd) Mitchell, marked the start of a two-weekend effort to raise funds through a poker run, car show and benefit auction.
Drewel said the idea came naturally in a town known for standing together when someone needs help.
“Mike has been a longtime friend — I’ve known him all my life. We actually went to school together,” she said. “A couple of us were sitting around at the local pool hall when we heard the bad news about him, and we thought, you know what? We’re a small community. We always come together for something, so this will be the perfect time.”
From that conversation came a plan that quickly grew. Organizers gathered volunteers, and mapped out a poker-run route that wound through Belle, Summerfield, and Vichy before ending at the Vichy Park.
At the park, volunteers served whole-sausage sandwiches with potato chips for an $8 donation, with proceeds benefiting Green and his family.
Drewel said she and others worked to make sure the event had everything from merchandise to meals ready for participants.
“I’m here doing extra shirts and koozies and trying to keep things going,” she said.
The community support won’t stop there. Organizers are already preparing for a car show and benefit scheduled for next weekend, which will include a silent auction, food and live entertainment.
“The silent auction starts at seven,” Drewel said. “The car show will go on most of the day. We’ll be serving lunch starting at 11, then bring the food inside later and do dinner as well.”
Mitchell praised the volunteers and residents who donated items and time to make it happen.
“It’s what Belle does,” he said. “When someone’s in need, people show up.”
Organizers said they’re hoping for a strong turnout again this weekend to continue raising funds and show support for a friend who has long been part of the community.
