Author Samantha Rose Couto

Some heroes live in comics, fighting off robbers and protecting their city from crime. Others live right under our noses. Locals with a heart of gold. I had the privilege of sitting down with one of our local heroes, Sherry Fletcher, to discuss her third annual Saddle Up for St. Jude Poker Run Fundraiser, hosted at the World

Famous Iron Horse Saloon. On April 5th of 2025, $87,285 was raised for St. Jude! Over 450 riders, including our very own Mayor Jason Leslie, participated in the poker run, with stops at Saint & Sinners Pub, Renegades on the River, and Bimini Bar. To finalize the ride, participants of the event ended at the World-Famous Iron Horse Saloon, where a sense of community and connection proves to be society’s biggest strength.

Well-known and raved about by its locals, it’s the only bar where you can drive your bike right inside! Its friendly and lively atmosphere being the perfect home for such an impactful event. The fundraising started six months prior, with guitars signed by the headliner bands and auctioned off during Biktoberfest and Bike Week at both the Iron Horse Saloon and the Broken Spoke. When asked how she did it all, Sherry replied, “I didn’t. It takes an army to put something like this together – to make it successful. I’m just trying to make it something fun, while being able to give back.” And she wasn’t kidding about the fun! Those who attended got to enjoy more than just the Poker Run. They had the chance to participate in live and silent auctions of items and baskets generously donated by local restaurants. retailers, and businesses; A fun dice game, 50/50 raffle and cornhole tournament rounded out the funds raised to benefit the children of St. Jude. Guests browsed the motorcycles while local band, Are Friends Electric, took over the stage, covering classic rock hits and 80s favorites. If the festivities and music wasn’t enough, Feed The Obsession Outdoors served up some delicious BBQ pulled pork and beef brisket good enough to make Willie T. Jones drool! The music, the weather, and the people brought an energy that was truly unmatched. I was grateful to have had my camera in hand this day, the lens capturing each special moment throughout the fundraiser. The lens and I met a diverse group of characters, but all with the same goal: How to give to those who need it most.

“The reason that we decided to do this is because we like to give back to the community, and others,” Fletcher states. “We really get a lot of pleasure in watching our community come together. I have some friends that are going through cancer and have passed away because of cancer, as adults. I see what they’ve gone through, and I couldn’t imagine what these children are going through – the parents having to struggle and work just to keep food on the table. If we can help in any way, just to take the burden – so that parents can just focus on their children, that’s what it’s all about for us.” And because Fletcher is a major advocate for community commitment, the fundraiser is never done alone. She speaks highly of her group of volunteers and sponsors, those who “really make it happen.” With the help of those amazing volunteers, Saddle Up for St. Jude has grown immensely over the past three years. Since the first fundraiser, over $200,000 has been raised for St. Jude. “Before we would have to go around and ask people if they would like to be a sponsor, if they’d like to be involved in any way,” Fletcher says. “Now there are people just coming up to us and saying ‘How can I help the community? How can I get involved? What do you need from me? I’m just amazed at how a group of people can come together. It’s definitely a group effort.” But what the community has done for St. Jude so far has gone way beyond an “effort.” Every year more and more people become involved, and more money is raised for the children, and the families who need it to support them. The money raised will not only act as navigation through medical complexities and treatment plans, but will also be the hand that takes a weight off their shoulders. The emotional journey is enough to go through; financial
instability would only make it harder.

A MOMENT TO NEVER FORGET
Sometimes in life, it can be difficult to find help. Other times, we can be given more than we are
looking for. “The first poker run that we ever did – we didn’t know how big it was gonna be,” Fletcher says.“We went to Renegades and asked them, ‘Hey, if you would like to give a basket and $50 towards a charity, we would really appreciate it.’ And she hands me a check for $2,000.” Humanity is complex, but underneath all of the layers of complexity, there is compassion, and selflessness. Surprises like these stay with us as we move on to the next phases of our lives. It’s what keeps people like the heroes of Saddle Up for St. Jude motivated to bring our community together. When our community works as one, we can help those who have been impacted directly. Sherry had brought up a man whose daughter lost the battle and wanted to give back in any way he could. “One of my friends had given me a tote full of Legos and she goes ‘I know they’re used, but can you use these for the silent auction.’ And we did. The guy that won it walked up to Beth of ThunderRoads and says, ‘I’m buying these for my grandchild who lost her mother to cancer.’ He wanted to give back to those going through the same thing.” But upon talking to Sherry further, I learned that it’s more than “giving back.” The term “giving back” implies that something had to have been taken first. But our community does more than give back. We stand alongside one another, and we do it without wanting anything in return, or for mutual understanding. We don’t just “give back.” We create change. We invest, and sacrifice. We contribute. We empower. We support.

IN YOUR COMMUNITY, ON YOUR SIDE
I asked Sherry what role sponsors have in the Saddle Up process, and she opened up about her team’s loyalty to Rue & Ziffra. “They were the first ones that came to mind! I have worked with Rue & Ziffra in the past and as soon as I decided that I wanted to do this, my first phone call was to David Sweat (Attorney) to see if he wanted to be a part of it. I knew that they would be a big sponsor for us.” We’re stronger in numbers because no battle is won alone. That’s why community is everything. “I love how they’re not just a law firm, but how much they give back to the community. They want to make our community a better place.“

TAKING THE REINS
“Sherry,” I said. “What’s next?” and to that she responds, “We’re going corporate.” The Saddle Up team has been discussing future plans of growing their organization, as they have already started reaching out to corporates to get more eyes on the cause. “We feel really confident that we’ve brought it to a really good level and that we all know what we need to do as far as the different outlets of what we’re doing to put this together.” And the confidence is undeniable! With a growing team and rising donations, it’s no surprise that the fundraiser is saddling up and riding tall! When asked when the planning for 2026 begins, Sherry eagerly says, “We’ve already started for next year.”