The 1000 Islands Charity Poker Run Corp. has announced $457,000 in charitable donations from its 2026 event, including $275,000 to Make-A-Wish Central New York, $172,000 to Thousand Islands first responders, food pantries and community organizations, and $10,000 to River Hospital in Alexandria Bay.
The annual charity poker run draws powerboat enthusiasts from across the United States and Canada to the Thousand Islands for a weekend of boating, camaraderie and fundraising. What began as a local run has grown into a major event, attracting more than 100 participating powerboats and thousands of spectators. Giving back, organizers say, remains the greater purpose.
With this year’s contributions, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit has now provided nearly $1.75 million in charitable giving since its founding in 2017.
The largest gift is $275,000 to Make-A-Wish Central New York, supporting the chapter’s mission of granting life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses.
“I am pleased and proud to be a part of the of this year’s fund-raising efforts and charity that will bring everlasting smiles to children and families of Make-A-Wish of Central New York,” said Court Rutherford, vice president of the 1000 Islands Charity Poker Run Corp. “I would like to thank all of the sponsors, participants, volunteers, and the community that makes this all possible.”
“I feel so incredibly fortunate to be able to be in a position to give back to our community. What inspires me the most about Make-A-Wish is to not only see the impact that a wish can have on a child, but on their entire family,” said Dave Montroy, Director of the Board. “I cannot give enough credit to our Charity Board, volunteers, sponsors and the entire Make-A-Wish organization. I love being part of an amazing team that puts smiles on the faces of children and their families that are facing incredibly difficult situations. It’s truly a reminder of how precious life really is. Helping to create happy memories for each and every child and their families make every bit of the work worthwhile. The donation will help Make-A-Wish Central New York continue its mission of granting life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses.”
“Our event is so much more than the just a poker run and has grown into something larger than we ever dreamed,” said Renee Lalonde, Treasurer. “Bringing people together through our shared passion for the water and giving back to our community is a labor of love. Every person who contributes to this event, as a volunteer, sponsor, or participant, helps us turn a weekend on the water into something that can have a lasting impact on Make-A-Wish children and their families. It takes a village to make this event happen, and we’re incredibly fortunate that our village stretches across the country and into Canada. Seeing the impact of these donations makes all the hard work worthwhile. It’s truly amazing and we are grateful to everyone who continues to believe in our mission.”
“What makes the 1000 Islands Charity Poker Run so special is not only the extraordinary generosity it inspires, but also the community it brings together and the lasting impact it creates far beyond this event,” said Diane Kuppermann, President & CEO of Make-A-Wish Central New York. “The dedication, passion, and heart of the all-volunteer committee, sponsors, participants, and attendees have made this one of the most meaningful and impactful partnerships in our chapter’s history. We are deeply honored by this year’s remarkable gift and profoundly grateful to everyone who helps bring our mission to life. Together, we create life-changing wishes that deliver hope, strength, and joy to children and families when they need it most.”
A significant share of the local giving—$135,000—is going to emergency response organizations across the region to purchase equipment for land and water emergencies:
“Our first responders are there when people need them most, often under difficult and unpredictable circumstances,” said Jeff Morgan, Board Director. “Supporting these organizations is one of the most important things we can do as a community. We are proud that the success of our event allows us to give back to the men and women who work and volunteer to keep our communities and waterways safe.”
“Make-A-Wish has always been our primary charitable beneficiary, and I believe it should remain an important part of our mission,” said Ken Lalonde, Board Director. “At the same time, our event depends heavily on local first responders, including law enforcement. These departments protect our participants, volunteers, spectators and the surrounding communities throughout the year. Supporting them is directly connected to the safety and long-term success of our event.”
An additional $37,000 will support food security programs and civic and business organizations:
Together with the first-responder gifts, that $172,000 represents the organization’s 2026 local charitable giving.
“The 1000 Islands Charity Poker Run is about much more than the boats,” Morgan said. “Our participants and sponsors come together because they love the Thousand Islands and the event itself, but they also understand the importance of giving back. These donations allow us to support the people and organizations that make this region such a great place to live, work, and visit.”
The organization is also donating $10,000 to River Hospital to support equine therapy for veterans living with PTSD and traumatic brain injuries. The program uses interaction with horses as part of a therapeutic approach outside a traditional clinical setting, encouraging trust, communication, confidence, focus and emotional connection.
“We are honored to support River Hospital and its commitment to veterans who are living with PTSD and traumatic brain injuries,” said Robert Cantwell, President of the 1000 Islands Charity Poker Run Corp. “Our veterans have made tremendous sacrifices for our country, and we are proud to help support a program that provides them with another avenue for healing and hope.”
“Giving back is one of the most rewarding parts of what we do,” said Alexandra Buduson, Secretary. “Supporting our veterans is especially close to our hearts, and we’re so grateful to everyone who helps make these donations possible.”
“We are deeply grateful to the Thousand Islands Charity Poker Run for this generous gift. River Hospital is incredibly proud of the RPTSS program and the specialized behavioral health care it provides for active-duty military members, veterans and first responders,” said Stephanie Weiss, Executive Director of Development, River Hospital. “This investment in equine therapy will directly support their healing and well-being, and is a wonderful example of our community coming together to care for those who have given so much in service to others.”
The organization extended its thanks to sponsors, participants, donors, volunteers, local businesses, municipalities and community partners whose support made the 2026 gifts possible.
The 1000 Islands Charity Poker Run Corp. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to raising funds for charitable organizations and community causes through its annual charity poker run and related events in the Thousand Islands region.