Support Our Troops To Honor Veterans For 17th Year
When it comes to staying power of well-known go-fast boating events at the Lake of the Ozarks in Central Missouri, the Support Our Troops Poker Run, which will celebrate its 17th anniversary this Friday, is second only to the 35-year-old Lake of the Ozarks Shootout. But while the Shootout activities last a whole week and culminate with two-days of top-speed competition, Support Our Troops is a one-day-only event.
Boats of all brands and sizes are welcome at the Support Our Troops Poker Run. Photos by Jeff Helmkamp copyright Jeff Helmkamp Photos.
Between her work as a realty agent for Swift and Co. and personal commitments, longtime Lake of the Ozarks local and go-fasting fan Nikki Sorenson has a tricky schedule this week. But Sorenson said that she is hoping to it make to this Friday’s event, which celebrates active and retired members of the United States military while raising for an organization that helps support them.
“Support Our Troops brings a sense of pride and togetherness to the entire Lake of the Ozarks community,” she said.
Support Our Troops is a true Lake of the Ozarks community happening.
The 2024 event is once again being produced by Big Thunder Marine, though the multi-brand powerboat dealership’s general Jeremy Anderson always describes it as a “true community effort.” In 2023, the 16th annual event raised $23,000 for the H.E.R.O.E.S. Care nonprofit veterans services organization. The 75-boat fleet, which visited several venues around the lake, hosted 40 veterans for the day on the water.
“It’s not just about raising money for a great cause,” Anderson said. “It’s also a day of relief for the troops themselves during the event.
“Big Thunder is really just another sponsor of this great event that gives back so much to the troops and H.E.R.O.E.S. Care,” he added.
So far, 65 boat owners have signed up for the 17th annual Support Our Troops Poker Run. Registration is still open
Captured here with Sara Langheim and Chrissy George during the 2022 event, local Nikki Sorenson (left) said the Support Our Troops Poker Run “brings a sense of pride and togetherness to the entire Lake of the Ozarks community.“
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