Another popular boat expected to attend is the 48’ MTI, Windship. There are eight card stops around the lake and the participants can choose their own course around the lake rather than moving as a group. The fleet will be led out from the event headquarters, Big Water Marina, by Todd Campbell, who owns title sponsor Campbell Crane, and his 57’ MTI center-console. The fleet will be separated into two groups, boats that run faster than 50 mph and those that run less than 50 mph. “We do that because we want all the local people out on the water for a good fun day on the water,” said Ashley. First, the entry fee is only $85 and second, it’s open to all types of boats, except personal watercraft. The run drew 175 participants in 2017 and had 206 two years ago.

“We try to do different events to capture all audiences,” Ashley said. She explained that the poker run is one of three primary fundraisers the organization holds throughout the year. “We don’t receive state or federal funding so we do all our fundraising through the local community,” said Laurie Ashley, executive director of Meals on Wheels Anderson County. Meals on Wheels feeds 450 people every day and the poker run has helped raise more than $60,000 to ensure that the organization can continue to do so. The 2018 Hartwell Lake Poker Run will take place on June 8-9 in Anderson, S.C., and the event is pivotal to the continued ability of Meals on Wheels Anderson County to continue to feed homebound and disabled people throughout the community.

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