Search and Rescue cleans up near Buffalo Bridge Recreation Area

Search and Rescue team members, volunteers and community members spent a beautiful weekend day Saturday participating in the Lake County Search and Rescue ATV Poker Run.

Held at Buffalo Bridge Recreation Area near the Flathead River, the off-road poker run covered 17 miles of terrain and offered Search and Rescue team members the chance to enjoy the sport of off-roading with each other and everyone in the community who participated.

In addition to stopping at designated stations to pick up a playing card, participants could earn a bonus card by picking up trash along the way.

Last year, participants gathered 700 pounds of trash from their poker run. This year, organizers hope to pick up even more, Jared Bell, Lake County Search and Rescue president said.

Republic Services refuse company donated a large bin for the event.

Old Timer Café owner Jim Burkhardt in St. Ignatius participated because he and his family love the sport of off-roading. Burkhardt was at the event with his grandchildren, Marcus, 4 and Kyle, 6. 

Isaac Epperson, also of St. Ignatius, participated as well.

Epperson enjoyed the day on the back of his motorcycle and he said he enjoys the camaraderie of fellow off-roaders.

Money raised during the fundraiser will pay for much needed equipment and supplies for the Lake County Search and Rescue team, Bell said.

“This is a great way to fellowship with all the people who enjoy motor sports,” he said.

This year, 22 riders participated in the family-friendly day-long event. At 3 p.m., when the riding portion of the day was completed, event-goers talked to one another, watched their children play in the mud, learned who won the poker run, listened to music and ate a barbecue dinner.

Lake County Search and Rescue has 41 members who serve 1,200 square miles of territory, Bell said.