Proving that good things are often worth the wait, organizers of the late-August Lake Champlain Poker Run in Burlington, Vt., presented a $60,000 donation to representatives from Camp-Ta-Kum-Ta earlier this week. The local nonprofit organization “provides challenging, extraordinary experiences in a safe and loving environment for children who have or have had cancer and their families,” according to the mission statement on its website.
A record-setting, 75-boat turnout translated to recording-setting fundraising for this year’s Lake Champlain Poker Run. Photo by Tim Sharkey copyright Sharkey Images.
The Lake Champlain Poker Run chose the camp as its beneficiary four years ago. This year’s fundraising total was the event’s highest to date.
In 2023, the run raised approximately $45,000 for the charity.
“We were all very excited to exceed last year’s number,” said Brian Hoar, who is one of the event’s founders and a member of its organizing group.
Members of the organizing group presented the check earlier this week.
The sixth annual event also attracted a record-setting 75-boat fleet. Hoar said while the event is capped at approximately 75 boats, the organizers “have some ideas to try to raise a little more money for next year.”
Said multi-time Lake Champlain Poker Run participant Devin Wozencraft, who ran his 34-foot Victory catamaran in the event, “The Lake Champlain run is still a hidden gem. If you haven’t experienced it, you have to at least once. It’s a very cool event in a beautiful part of the country.”
A member of the Lake Champlain Poker Run organizing committee, Chris Fisher ran his DCB Performance Marine M37R catamaran in the event.
