RESERVE — Airborne Lounge in Reserve is hosting the second annual Perry’s Posse Poker Run Saturday in order to raise money to benefit cancer patients in the River Parishes.

Registration is $20 a person and will open at 9:30 a.m. the day of the event. Between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., participants will ride through St. James, St. John the Baptist and St. Charles parishes in cars or on motorcycles, stop at five designated checkpoints and collect playing cards.

Whoever has the best poker hand at the end will receive half of the day’s earnings, but event coordinator William Kirksey said winners typically choose to donate the money back to the cause.

Last year, after hearing of the charity work Perry’s Posse had done for cancer patients in the community, Kirksey approached the nonprofit group and suggested an annual poker run fundraiser. Just like the members of the organization, Kirksey has his own connection to cancer, having lost his father and friends to the disease.

“I can’t think of anyone who hasn’t been affected by it in some way. People are willing to donate their time and hard-earned money for this cause,” Kirksey said. “It’s an indiscriminate disease, and we do whatever we can to help.”

Last year, the Poker Run raised over $1,500, and Kirksey said he hopes the event will attract even more riders this year. Live music and raffle items, including a Harley Davidson quilt handmade by Posse member Penny Laiche, will also be available at the event.

Joan LeBouef, public relations director of Perry’s Posse, said the group depends on fundraisers like the Poker Run to continue caring for River Parish cancer patients.

Tanya Roccaforte of Garyville founded the organization after her nephew and godson Lawrence “Perry” Levet Jr. died from cancer in January 2014 at the age of 45.

Recognizing the emotional, spiritual and financial burden placed on the families of cancer patients, Perry requested his aunt start a charity to help others.

The organization has helped more than 300 people since its inception in 2014, and they currently donate to approximately 75 patients active in treatments.

LeBouef said each patient in St. John, St. James and St. Charles receives a care package containing a check, a spiritual book and other trinkets.

Quarterly, they will pull a number and give a randomly selected patient $200 to $500, depending on how much is in their account.

The group also sends books to cancer patients outside the parish and has received support and donations from people out of state and around the world, LeBouef said.

A survivor of breast cancer herself, LeBouef understands the hardships that come along with treatment.

“I look at the patients, and I see myself when I was depressed,” she said. “In this group, we’ve all been affected or lost family to cancer. It makes us stronger.”
She tells people, “You are here for a reason. Make a difference.”

Those wishing to help the cause can register for the Perry’s Posse Poker Run or contact LeBouef at 504-452-6547.

— By Brooke Robichaux