By Mark Wineka
mark.wineka@salisburypost.com

CLEVELAND — Local motorcycle riders are being invited to participate in the Aug. 22 Poker/Legacy Run, being hosted by the American Legion Riders of Kennedy-Hall Post 106.

Proceeds from this charity poker run go toward college scholarships from the American Legion for children of fallen soldiers.

The Aug. 22 poker run starts at 11 a.m. at Kennedy-Hall Post 106, located at 6250 N.C. Highway 801. Cost is $15 per rider and $10 per passenger. Four-wheelers are welcome. If you’re interested in participating, contact Rick Land at 704-929-9831, or Bob Kenerly at 704-278-4544.

The Kennedy-Hall Post 106 American Legion Riders were established in February with four members from Kennedy-Hall and two from Faith Post 327.

“We currently have 17 members representing three posts with Samuel C. Hart Post 14 joining us,” Land said.

The Aug. 22 poker ride will start and finish at Kennedy-Hall with stops in between at other area Legion halls. There will be food and door prizes with a 50/50 drawing at the end of the ride, free to all riders and passengers who participate.

Donations toward the Legacy Run also can be made to Kennedy-Hall ALR, 6250 Highway 801, Salisbury, NC 28147.

Land and Kenerly said riders from Kennedy-Hall will later be taking the funds raised at the poker run and meeting up with riders who are on the American Legion Legacy Run from Indianapolis, Ind., to Baltimore, Md., from Aug. 23-26.

The American Legion National Convention is being held in Baltimore this year.

The American Legion Legacy Run raises money for the American Legion Legacy Scholarship. According to the American Legion website, a significant shortfall has occurred in the government money allotted to children with parents who have been lost in war.

The present government stipend toward surviving children’s education is worth about $37,000, and legion officials say that amount “covers only a little more than half of college costs in the most affordable situation.”

The Legion says the most conservative estimates predict a 5 percent annual increase in college costs, “meaning that in 16 years the most affordable college education will be $132,800.

“Obviously, military compensation will not keep up,” the Legion website says.