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West of the 5th Poker Run returns to Pigeon Lake for 5th year

County of Wetaskiwin residents and beyond are prepping their machines for a day out on Pigeon Lake as the West of the 5th Poker Run readies for its 5th annual run of the event. This year’s poker run is set for Saturday February 25.
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West of the Fifth Poker Run 2022 (Facebook/ West of the 5th Winter Poker Run)

County of Wetaskiwin residents and beyond are prepping their machines for a day out on Pigeon Lake as the West of the 5th Poker Run readies for its 5th annual run of the event. This year’s poker run is set for Saturday February 25.

The annual fundraiser, started by Pigeon Lake resident Corey Kozack and his wife Claudia, raises money for local schools and organizations.

In the past few years, the event has taken off from a small local fundraiser to one that sees participants coming from all over Alberta and even bordering provinces to join in. With snowmobiles, ATVS, side-by-sides and more cruising over the frozen lake, the poker run has become increasingly popular.

“We never thought we’d get this far into it,” says Kozack.

In 2022, over 1,000 participants registered for the event and Kozack says that they are already well on their way to meet those numbers and possibly exceed them this year.

All card stops for the poker run are on the lake and this year there will be five stops.

This year the poker run will also have a Friday night social where there will be a dinner, band and liquor sales held at the Lakedell Community Hall. Funds from the Friday event will go towards the Pigeon Lake Regional School Parent Grad Class Committee for the 2023 grad dinner. As part of their contribution the committee is also providing a safe drive home program that evening whereas with a donation you can get driven up to 50 km away from the Lakedell Hall and arrive home safe with no worries. Tickets for the Friday social are $25 each.

Last year the event raised a grand total of $40,744, with $9,361 going to each of the four local Wetaskiwin Regional Public Schools (WRPS) around the lake, $1,000 to the South Pigeon Lake Fire Department (SPLFD), and $300 to Santas Elves at the lake.

This year Lakedell Elementary School (Lakedell School Parent Fundraising Committee), Falun Elementary School (Friends of Falun Fundraising Committee), Pipestone School (Friends of Pipestone Fundraising Committee), Pigeon Lake Regional School (PLRS), PLRS Parent Grad Class Committee, Pigeon Lake Pre-School SPLFD and the Mulhurst Fire Department will be the main benefactors of the fundraiser.

The fundraising for each of the schools this year will go towards:

Pigeon Lake Regional School

PLRS currently has 258 students in Grades 7-12. They will be using their funds to support welcome back and Christmas dinners, outdoor seating for students in common areas, convocation caps and gowns, outdoor recreational equipment and electronics in the gym.

Pigeon Lake Parent Grad Class Committee

Funds raised from the pre-event taking place Friday Feb. 24, will go towards the graduating class of 2023’s grad dinner and celebration.

Pigeon Lake Pre-School

The pre-school located at Lakedell School will use funds to support services they provide including learning and craft supplies.

Pipestone Elementary School

Funds raised for Pipestone School will go towards a variety of educational in-school and outdoor field trips. The Friends of Pipestone Fundraising Committee also states that the funds will also help build new playground equipment and allow staff to purchase school related equipment and supplies.

Falun Elementary School

Falun School will use the funds raised this year for their new playground which will be built in the spring of 2023. Additionally, funds will support bussing for field trips and supplies and equipment for teachers.

Lakedell Elementary School

Lakedell School will use their donations to support student experiences and initiatives including playground improvement projects, year-end field trips for the whole school at no cost, swimming lessons for grades K-2 at no cost, Skiing and snowboarding for grades 3-6 at no cost, school meals and more.

“It’s amazing how everybody comes together for our schools. It warms our hearts.”

There are plenty of prizes to be won at the poker run and through its online raffle. A 50/50 will also be ongoing.