On an absolutely perfect fall day, the Eureka Early Learning Center hosted its second annual Poker Run on Saturday, Oct. 3. In just two years, the event has become a local favorite, and this year it raised more than $21,000. Organized by the Eureka Moms Group, the Poker Run received enthusiastic support from local businesses and residents.
This year’s course, designed by Raymond Hondson, Dalton Kemp, and Justin Moyle, covered 48 miles of off-road terrain, taking riders through some of the most beautiful backcountry in Eureka. Participants stopped at five checkpoints along the route to stretch, grab a drink, and draw cards for their poker hands.
Organizer Lindsay Stith and the Eureka Moms Group were thrilled with Saturday’s turnout, registering 47 teams. They emphasized two priorities for this year’s event. The first was safety. While the Poker Run is meant to be an adventurous outing that showcases Eureka’s landscape, organizers want riders to enjoy it safely. Last year saw one minor injury, so this year all participants attended a riders’ meeting where seatbelt use was strongly encouraged. Riders were also warned about bug dust and other off road hazards and were reminded to help fellow riders if needed.
The second priority was financial independence. The Moms Group is determined not to rely solely on grants or direct donations. Instead, they want to demonstrate the importance of the Early Learning Center project through community-driven fundraising. Their goal is simple: ensure that every dollar raised directly supports Eureka’s youngest children. They are currently the only fundraising group dedicated solely to this cause.
Although fewer vehicles registered this year, more people participated and many more poker hands were sold. Riders were not just from Eureka this year, but included people from Elko, Reno, Fernley, Fallon, Ely, Pahrump, and Mina. In addition to registration fees and poker hands, participants purchased raffle tickets for baskets and prizes donated by local businesses, as well as purchased squares for the Cow Pie Drop. Participants purchased squares on a numbered grid placed in the arena, and a cow was released to determine the winning square. The game was such a hit that organizers created a second grid, raising even more money.
The Boys & Girls Club project in Eureka is the construction of a brand new Early Learning Center on a parcel of land across from Raine’s Market, donated by Eureka County. The project has been in development for more than six years. In 2020, a group of working moms, Nikki Cooley, Ashley Kemp, and Lindsay Stith, were struggling to find child care. They reached out to Carolyn McIntosh of Ely for guidance on funding options, which ultimately connected them with the Boys & Girls Club of Truckee Meadows.
Early on, some residents expressed concern about using tax dollars to fund a daycare. The Moms Group made it their mission to secure funding that would not rely heavily on county tax revenue.
Funding has since come from several major sources. The Boys & Girls Club secured a $3.2 million grant from Governor Lombardo’s Finance Committee. Additional support includes $850,000 from the UNR Extension Office, $300,000 from I 80 Gold/Franco Nevada, and $150,000 from McEwen Mining. Last year’s Poker Run raised about $15,000, and this year’s $21,000 brings the project closer to completing Phase I, which costs $4.9 million. The Eureka Early Learning Center is expected to open by the end of 2026. Mike Wurm, director of the Boys & Girls Club of Truckee Meadows, is optimistic about the timeline and plans to offer affordable child care. Families interested in enrolling their children, or individuals interested in employment, can contact the Boys & Girls Club of Truckee Meadows for more information. The Eureka Moms Group is deeply proud of the success of the Second Annual Poker Run. They organized an event that not only showcased the most beautiful parts of Eureka, but also ensured that every dollar raised supports working families and their access to affordable child care. They are hoping the poker run keeps expanding for the coming years and becomes the biggest fundraiser that the Club can host. Please mark your calendars for Oct. 2, 2027 for the third annual Eureka Poker Run.
