Mike McKenna is one of those Sloatsburg residents who’s up and out early enough to drive into New York City for work. McKenna teaches history and ELA students in a Bronx middle school. His enthusiasm for teaching led him to the Sloatsburg Scholarship Fund, a non-profit group that raises money for local student scholarships, and a place where he’s put his village connections and creative fundraising ideas to good use.

McKenna organized the group’s initial scholarship fund drive, held at Characters Restaurant in February, where Characters donated back 20% of the cost of diners’ dinners to the SSF. The fundraiser netted nearly $300. This Saturday, the Sloatsburg Scholarship Fund will hold its final fundraising effort of the school year with a Poker Run that travels by foot to several places throughout the village. The idea wasn’t a McKenna original but he knows a winning hand when he sees one.

“The idea actually came from my girlfriend, who did one down in New City, I think, with People to People,” McKenna said. People to People is an educational ambassador program that offers international opportunities to teachers and students. “I thought, that’s a fantastic idea. So, I said, let’s get one going for the Sloatsburg Scholarship Fund.”

So, the SSF is calling on residents to join in this Saturday, May 19, for some fun and games and a stroll through Sloatsburg, accompanied by bagpipe serenade, to raise funds for students. The Poker Run will start at Sterlington Station and visit Characters Restaurant and Rhodes North Tavern. McKenna said it was designed as a fun and friendly way to involve Sloatsburg residents and businesses in a good cause.

“It’s a great way for people to have fun and kick in some money for the kids at the same time,” McKenna said. “It’s a win-win. Rhodes, Characters and Sterlington have been fantastic, as usual, kicking in gift cards to raffle off 50/50s. They’re doing specials without even having to ask. They said, what can we do?”

McKenna not only organized the event but has rounded up nearly 30 people to participate. “A lot of my friends, neighbors and family are planning on doing it,” he said. “But we need to get more people involved. You can sign up the day of the event and we’ll put you on a team. It’s an easy route. We’re going to be walking, maybe a 10 to 15  minute walk from place to place with bagpipes to get the vibe going.”

Originally organized as a committee by Village Trustee Pete Akey, who serves as village board liaison, the SSF recently became a non-profit and is working on its 501c3 status. The core of the group includes Patricia Hartnett, who serves as the group’s president, Treasurer Annmarie McAnany, who is Children’s Librarian at Sloatsburg Public Library, Secretary Adriana Armstrong, Marino Fontana, Theresa Dolan, Anne Dowd, Karen Hansen, and Joe Nappo.

“This is to raise money for the kids,” said Hartnett. “If you’re from Sloatsburg, you may not be eligible for any other scholarship except one of the scholarships that we have here.The scholarships will help them on their way to college.”

The Scholarship Fund has taken over organizational and fundraising responsibility from the Village of Sloatsburg for a diverse group of student scholarships. Where before the village had been working directly with scholarship sponsors, the SSF has taken over the village’s role and now provides independent oversight.

The SSF will award nearly $1500 in scholarships to Sloatsburg students this year, including the Joseph Vega, Trooper Conklin and Chief Joseph Miele scholarships. Most of these funds will be awarded at The Evening of Excellence awards dinner June 4 at the William L. Ransom auditorium at Suffern High School.

The Poker Run costs $25 per person and includes food, drinks and door prizes at each of the three local participating restaurants. Registration for the event begins at 11:30 in front of Sterlington Station on Seven Lakes Drive. The Sterlington Station stop then takes place from noon until 1 p.m. Then, accompanied by bagpipes, participants will make their way to Characters Restaurant for the second hand, which takes place from 1:30 to 2:30. Finally, the group will make its way to Rhodes Tavern for the final hand, from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

All participating restaurants will provide food and drink specials for Poker Run participants, with proceeds from the event going to the Sloatsburg Scholarship Fund.

“Every team is going to get a sealed envelope at each place,” McKenna said, describing the basics of the Poker Run. “So, starting at Sterlington’s, each team gets a sealed envelope with two playing cards. Then we move on to Characters, do the same thing, and then on to Rhodes for the final card. Whoever has the best 5 card hand wins.” McKenna said that any envelope opened before the Run is finished gets disqualified.

The Sloatsburg Scholarship Fund invites anyone interested in joining the Poker Run to meet at Sterlington Station Saturday morning at 11:30 a.m. to sign up for the event.

The Sloatsburg Scholarship Fund Poker Run fundraising event takes places Saturday, May 19. Sign in and registration begins at 11:30 a.m. at Sterlington Station on Seven Lakes Drive in Sloatsburg. The Poker Run takes place from Noon – 4 p.m. Stops include: Sterlington Station 12 p.m. – 1 p.m., Characters Restaurant 1:30 p.m. – 2 p.m. and Rhodes Tavern 3  p.m. – 4 p.m. Cost is $25 per person and all proceeds go toward supporting the Sloatsburg Scholarship Fund.