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CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES RAISE $11,300 FOR GREENE COUNTY SCHOOLS THROUGH MOTORCYCLE ‘POKER RUN’

August 1, 2014

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 30, 2014

For more information,
Contact: Amanda Shell Jennings
Moxley Carmichael
(865) 544-0088

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Brenda and Sammy Ford of Renfrow Brothers, one of the event organizers Travis Ford of the US Nitrogen and Miranda Trent prepare to head out on the 122-mile Greene LEAF Poker Run on July 26.

Brenda and Sammy Ford of Renfrow Brothers,  event organizer Travis Ford of the US Nitrogen and Miranda Trent prepare to head out on the 122-mile Greene LEAF Poker Run on July 26.

More than 80 motorcycle riders turned out for the Greene LEAF “Poker Run,” a charity event organized by the construction team and contractors at the US Nitrogen facility. The ride raised more than $11,300 for Greene LEAF to improve technology at Greene County Schools.

“The contractors working at the US Nitrogen facility and the US Nitrogen construction team brought the idea for the ‘poker run’ to us,” said Greene LEAF Executive Director Darlene McCleish. “This was a way to give back to the community, enjoying a day out on their motorcycles supporting local schools. Thanks to these contractors and businesses, the efforts of Greene LEAF to bring new laptops to all 17 Greene County Schools have been boosted.  The community spirit of these construction workers is quite inspiring! The goal of bringing new technology to all 7,300 students is much closer thanks to their efforts!”

Greene LEAF (Local Educational Advancement Foundation) is a nonprofit organization made up of business leaders and citizens to celebrate and support local schools. The foundation was created to assist the school system’s teachers and students with projects and needs beyond what tax revenues can provide.

During the charity “poker” run July 26, riders traveled a loop and stopped at designated areas to collect playing cards from volunteers. Throughout the 122-mile loop, the riders collected a full hand of poker.

The ride began at the US Nitrogen warehouse in Midway and traveled the loop to the finish line at the Hyperion Grill in Greeneville. Participants were greeted with live music and barbecue at the end of the ride. Cash prizes were awarded to the rider with the best hand and the worst hand of poker.  Keith Pillar won the best hand prize; Charlotte Doyle won the prize for worst hand.

The event was created Victor Smith, US Nitrogen construction manager, and Travis Ford, US Nitrogen CWI inspector, on behalf of the construction team and contractors. The Poker Run was sponsored by TEC Industrial Maintenance & Construction, Holston Gases, Renfrow Brothers Industrial Contractors, Mico Industrial Services, Eastern Industrial Supplies Inc., Summers-Taylor, C&C Millwright Maintenance Co., Southern Design Inc. and US Nitrogen.