FLUSHING — The American Legion Riders will be hosting its seventh annual Thomas Freedom Tree Run this Saturday starting at the American Legion Riders Post 366, located at 107 High St. in Flushing.

Registration starts at 9 a.m. with the motorcycle poker run starting at 11 a.m.

Admission costs $20 per rider and $10 per passenger, which includes a chicken dinner.

All proceeds of the poker run will be going to the Thomas Freedom Tree.

“One-hundred percent of the money goes towards the Thomas Freedom Tree,” American Legion Riders Post 366 Director Bruce Harris said.

The Thomas Freedom Tree is a charity started by Thomas Auto Centers over a decade ago to provide Christmas gifts to local veterans and their families.

According to Harris, the Thomas Freedom Tree started by providing Christmas items to six veterans and is currently providing Christmas cheer to 36 local veterans.

A cash prize of $3,000 will be awarded to the best poker hand collected during the run. The best hand cash prize is sponsored by Thomas Auto Centers, Bill’s Towing and BTR Environmental.

The worst hand will be given a $1,000 cash prize. The worst hand prize is sponsored by VFW Ohio Riders District 5 Motorcycle Group in memory of John Ciesielka.

Ciesielka was a 91-year-old veteran who was a key member in the foundation of the Flushing Chapter of the American Legion Riders. He died as a result of a house fire in January.

“We have the best sponsors in the world. We received 105 donations from local businesses,”

Harris said.

Harris said the first time they organized the Thomas Freedom Tree Run only 18 motorcycles participated. This year he anticipates 150 motorcycles with around 300 people attending. The run will be 113 miles long and will leave at 11 a.m. from the Flushing Fire Department. Its first stop is in Scio, then Cambridge, Barnesville and finally back to the Flushing Fire Department.

The run will end with a chicken dinner that is included with the registration fee. An auction will also be held to raise money for the charity. Last year $9,000 was raised for the Thomas Freedom Tree.