For 17 years the Wayne Eagles have been hosting a Poker Run to provide funds to the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA).
This year's event will be held Saturday, Sept. 23 with the route including stops in Norfolk, Stanton, West Point, Pender, Wakefield and end back in Wayne.
According to Eagles Club organizers, "the Wayne businesses have supported us with door prizes. Sidelines in Wakefield has donated meat for the supper following the event and members are donating food and prizes."
None of the money collected during the event is used for expenses. Instead, all of the money raised, including that being donated in the 14 jars that are currently located at businesses throughout the community, goes directly to the MDA.
Zach Jorgensen, who was diagnosed with Duschene's Muscular Dystrophy, has been a spokesperson for the organization and will be a part of this year's event.
Jorgensen has also written several children's books and will be in Norfolk for a book signing on Sept. 23 before joining the group on this year's Poker Run.
According to information provided by Jorgensen, he is a 26 year-old author, content creator, and motivational speaker.
"I was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy when I was five and I have been in a wheelchair ever since I was 10. I graduated from Wayne high school in 2015, and from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 2019 with a degree in graphic design and a minor in marketing," he said.
"I self published my first children’s book in 2019 (Wheelchair’s Aren’t Scary) and I am about to release my seventh book at the end of September (Timmy Gets Ready). All of my books have to deal with some aspect of disability and being in a wheelchair. The main purpose of them is to teach children about disabilities and life in a wheelchair, as well as to inspire and motivate children with disabilities to never give up," he said.
Jorgensen is also a content creator on social media, as well as a motivational speaker. The topics he talks about are the obstacles that he has overcome and his faith to inspire and motivate others.
He will be in Norfolk for a book signing on Sept. 23 before joining the group on this year's Poker Run.
