One of the most heartwarming aspects of our performance boating community is the way that individual poker runners step up to the plate to help out a worthy cause. We see this whenever we have an event in support of a regional charity, and every time a special cause is brought to the attention of the group.

Last January, a tragedy occurred off Marco Island. Sixteen year-old Jennifur Molter lost her mother, sister, brother, and her sister's fiancee in a boating accident.

PRA Hall of Fame Poker Runner Bob Barnhart and the boaters who make up the Ft. Myers Offshore group in Southwest Florida took up Jennifur's cause, and created a benefit run to raise money for a trust fund. We sent Bill Jennings to participate in the event, and Dave Kirkland flew in to cover the run for this issue of the magazine.

As you may well imagine, the poker runners opened their hearts, raising a significant amount for this worthy cause... and that's not unusual; we run several charity events during the poker run schedule, generally in support of regional children's hospitals, generating much needed financial assistance for the care of childhood illnesses. Our Ft. Myers Poker Run supported Voices for Kids of Southwest Florida - you can help this worthy cause by visiting www.voicesforkids.org.

When it comes time to participate in this year's poker run events, why not pause for a moment to say a word of thanks for all of our good fortune, and share a bit of that sunshine with those who are not as fortunate... after all, charity is the greatest gift you can give - to your community, and to those who are in need, but do not have the heart to ask.

Our 2007 Poker Run season is now in high gear with the first events in Sarasota and Ft. Myers drawing record numbers of participants, a great start for one of the most exciting schedules we've ever put together. With new venues and activities throughout the Poker Run series, we are bringing an extra spark of energy to some of the most enjoyable weekends in performance boating.

Why not check out the details at www.pokerrunsamerica.com, and register today to join the fleet at Alexandria Bay, NY on June 22-23, and the big Mohegan Sun Poker Run in Old Saybrook, CT, on July 27-28.

It's going to be a wonderful season on the water - don't forget to check out your safety gear, and make courtesy your co-pilot whenever you take to the open water.

William E. Taylor, Publisher