Jean Dean

Reading Is Fundamental P.O. Box 848 Opelika, AL

(334) 749-5631 www.jeandeanrif.org

News Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 5, 2010

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Cathy Dean Gafford

Executive Director Office: (334) 749-5631

Fax: (334) 741-0510 jeandeanrif@bellsouth.net

JEAN DEAN RIF HOSTS 4TH

ANNUAL RIDE TO READ

The 2010 Truel Watts Ride to Read Poker Run is scheduled for June 12 and will benefit

Jean Dean Reading is Fundamental (RIF) in Opelika, Ala. Proceeds from the event will help

provide books to more than 25,000 kids this year, 90 percent of whom do not have another book

in their home.

“The Poker Run encourages motorcycle riders to use their hobby for good, while having

fun in the process,” said Cathy Gafford, Jean Dean RIF’s Executive Director.

During the Poker Run, participants will visit five stations, each sponsored by a local

business, and draw a playing card at each. The rider with the best poker hand at the final stop

will win a grand prize. This year’s prize, donated by Big Swamp Harley-Davidson, will be a

leather jacket.

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Jean Dean RIF’s Ride to Read 2 – 2 – 2 The Poker Run will begin at Big Swamp Harley-Davidson, 1201 Fox Run Parkway in

Opelika, at 9 a.m. with registration. The first bike will leave at 9:30 a.m. on its way to the first

stop and the last rider is expected to arrive back at Big Swamp at 1 p.m.

During the event, Outback Steakhouse will be catering lunch. Riders will also be able to

participate in a silent auction, enjoy bike games and take advantage of discounts at Big Swamp.

To participate or make a donation, visit www.jeandeanrif.org and click the “Ride to

Read” link. A $25 donation covers one poker hand, a T-shirt and lunch; $30 will cover three

poker hands, a T-shirt and lunch; and $15 covers a passenger, who will also receive a T-shirt and

lunch.

RIF’s Ride to Read was started by RIF Advisory Board member Truel Watts. After his

death, the event was renamed the Truel Watts Ride to Read to honor the past Kiwanis governor.

Now held annually in Opelika, Watt’s wife and Advisory Board member Sylvia Watts assists

with the event.

Jean Dean RIF is the largest RIF project in the nation and provides more than 75,000

books to more than 25,000 at-risk young children in Head Starts, Even Starts, state sponsored

daycares and early intervention sites across Alabama each year. Jean Dean RIF was started in

1990 by Cathy Dean Gafford, Director of Jean Dean RIF, and her father, Joe Dean, as a part of

the Kiwanis International Young Children (0-5): Priority One Project and is named in honor of

Dean’s wife, Jean Torbert Dean.

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