By GAYLE WEBER

gweber@dailynews.net

Jill Arensdorf is hoping the third time's the charm for the Ride for the Red motorcycle poker run Saturday.

Arensdorf, a member of the executive board of the Ellis County Chapter of the American Red Cross, is hoping for fair weather for the third annual event.

The first Ride for the Red never left Hays because of weather, and the second one got rained on about halfway through.

"We'd love to have a hundred bikes," Arensdorf said.

The event is one of the local Red Cross chapter's two main fundraisers during the year.

Registration for the poker rally begins at 11 a.m. Saturday at Doerfler's Harley Davidson-Buell, 1100 E. 43rd. Participants can purchase one poker hand for $10 and three for $25.

The ride stops in Stockton, Hill City and WaKeeney before arriving back at the American Legion, 1305 Canterbury.

"It's a great way to meet the people who are really behind your organization," said Bryan Saindon, executive director of the local Red Cross chapter.

The money raised from the event will stay at the local office. Saindon said it would be used for the area of greatest need, as determined by the executive board.

Saindon said discussions have revolved around improving the chapter's disaster services. The money raised could go toward purchasing cots, blankets and administrative supplies to be used during a disaster or to provide training for volunteers.

After the four-county poker run, participants will assemble at the Hays American Legion for a raffle and prize giveaways to the top two poker hands and the worst hand.