Motorcyclists united at Sound Harley in Marysville as the starting point for the Quil Ceda Creek Casino Benefit Ride for the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, Aug 29.

“I do this every year, it’s a must,” said Steve Brenam. “I just really believe in helping service members. They do a lot for us so why not do something for them?”

The benefit was a poker run, an organized event where participants must visit five to seven checkpoints, drawing a playing card at each one.

The event started at 10am, with Naval Station Everett as the second stop for the bikers.

“I’m a retired Seabee and my brother is still in the Navy,” said participant Marty Henninger. “I like to think of it as a way to give back what they’re getting when in need.”

The object of a poker run is to have the best poker hand at the end of the run. The starting point was Sound Harley in Marysville and the run ended at Quil Ceda Creek Casino.

“I love this, being off the ship on my bike outside,” said USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) Sailor, FC2 Christopher Hill. “I feel it’s a good cause, so when I saw it being advertised at Pierside Plaza I just had to participate.”

“I love it,” said participant Heather Henninger. “I have a lot of friends in the Navy and my dad is retired Navy. I hope we keep doing this sort of thing in the future.”

Participants were treated with a spaghetti feed at the casino at the end. Cash and gift card prizes were awarded to winners with the highest and lowest hands and other categories.