T-L Photo/SETH STASKEY MEMBERS OF the American Legion Riders Ohio Valley Chapter Post presented a check for $2,000 to the Wolfhurst Volunteer Fire Department during the department’s meeting last week. The riders staged a poker run in honor of the late Rick St. John, who was a member of the riders club and also the Wolfhurst VFD. From left are Wolfhurst Volunteer Fire Department President Rick Ice, American Legion Riders Ohio Valley Chapter Post 52 Director Chuck Clark, George Yarnevic, Joelle McDonald-Lytle, Wyatt Dingus, Taylor Dingus, Dawn Kobus, Kim Staskey, Joe Staskey, Dean Jarrett and Dick Johnson.

WOLFHURST — Rick St. John was a proud member of both the Wolfhurst Volunteer Fire Department and the American Legion Riders Ohio Valley Chapter.

Wanting to honor St. John’s memory after his tragic death in November, the American Legion Riders, which is based in Bellaire, held a poker run late last month. Knowing how much the fire department meant to St. John, the club decided to donate the proceeds from the event to the fire department.

The formal donation of $2,000 took place last Monday evening at the Wolfhust VFD.

“Our members came to me after Ricky’s funeral and wanted to do something to help give back in his honor,” Clark said. “We chose Wolfhurst because Ricky worked here.”

Wolfhurst Fire Department President Rick Ice, who is also a member of the Legion Riders and took part in the event, expressed great appreciation to the riders for their donation.

“For them to donate what they did is very generous and greatly appreciated,” Ice said.

St. John, who was a member of the fire department for more than a decade, encouraged Ice to join the Legion Riders.

“Ricky used to make fun of me because I was a fair-weathered rider, but I said, ‘whether it’s snowing or raining, I am riding in the (poker run),” Ice laughed. “Ricky and I used to spend a lot of time together and had a lot of fun times.”

The donation will be put to quick use. According to Ice, the fire department has decided to erect a 25-foot flag pole, a memorial plaque to honor St. John and place a picnic table at the corner of their property.

“Ricky had a lot of military pride and he loved to eat outside, so that’s how we decided to do what we’re doing with the money,” Ice said.

Ice expects the project to be completed in the next couple of months and plans to invite the Legion Riders Ohio Valley Chapter Post 52 back to the department to formally raise the flag.

All told, 57 bikes were in the ride, which made stops in St. Clairsville, Woodsfield and Powhatan.

“A lot of different (riding) organizations and groups took part. There were a lot of people who simply wanted to come out and support the cause,” Clark said.

“The Warthogs were a big help to us, which we appreciate. It was a very successful event.”

According to Clark, the run will become an annual event and they’ll continue to benefit volunteer fire departments, but they’ll pick another group each year.