Charity Poker Run Raising Money to Bring Sparky the Fire Dog to Town

Verizon is hosting a charity motorcycle poker run in the New Port Richey area on Saturday, July 28, that will raise money for the city to get a Sparky the Fire Dog robot, which teaches children about safety.

The run will be followed by a free concert event in Sims Park that will feature fun for guests young and old.

The Sparky the Fire Dog robot will be used by the city fire rescue and police departments to educate children, said Bob Elek, spokesman for Verizon. Sparky is a dalmatian firefighter who rides around in a miniature fire truck and has conversations with kids about safety. He is remote controlled.

According to Robotronics, the company that produces Sparky, the robot teaches ”fire and life safety to children, because it can communicate with them on their level.”

During a poker run, participants visit several locations and pick up a playing card. The participant with the best hand at the end of the run wins. Gulf Coast Harley-Davidson is donating prizes. 

Registration for the charity poker run costs $10 per participant andstarts at 8 a.m. Saturday at Gulf Coast Harley-Davidson, 5817 State Road 54, New Port Richey.

The run will start at Gulf Coast Harley-Davidson and make stops at Christo’s Restaurant, New Port Richey Police Department, the Verizon Plus store in Gulf View Square Mall, New Port Richey Parks & Recreation Department and Sims Park.

The free concert event kicks off at around 11 a.m. at Sims Park in downtown New Port Richey, where the run ends. There, Verizon and its “Faces of FiOS” program will host performances from local band 2 Tone, premium giveaways, free food, an inflatable obstacle course, video game stations, a balloon artist and face painting and live FiOS demonstrations.

The concert event ends around 3 p.m. It is being called a customer appreciation event but is open to everyone.