As they ride the sun-soaked streets of Hernando on Saturday, May 11, participants in the second annual Dice Run will be helping kids get an actual ‘kick start’ on their futures.
The Mooseheart Riders and Marine Corps League 708 present the Dice Run, a special event to benefit The Guardian Foundation, which raises money for kids’ scholarships in this community. Manny Pereira, the Spring Hill Moose Lodge 521 administrator, anticipates that 40 to 70 Mooseheart Riders will participate in this Dice Run.
“On Saturday, May 11th, The Guardian Foundation is teaming up with Moose riders in 708’s 2nd Annual Dice Run in a run for scholarships for the kids,” said Jim Bravico, Marine Corps League #708 Commandant. If you’re a member and a veteran, this would be the time to come to the detachment and support the league and children.”
Featuring raffles, five stops, 50/50, live music, food and more, this event will kick off with an 8:30 a.m. registration at Marine Corps League #708, 8405 Sunshine Grove Road, Brooksville. Kickstands will be up at 10 a.m., with the last bike in at 2 p.m.
“So many veterans will be on their bikes that day, rolling the dice through five stops,” said Jim Bravico, commandant of Marine Corps League #708.
This variation on the classic poker run concept, which revolves around competitive dice games, will bear an admission price of $20 per rider and $5 per passenger. Food will be available at the first and last stop, with breakfast served from 8:30-10 a.m. and a full Italian dinner served at the end of the ride.
“This special Italian dinner will be courtesy of Cathy Bravico and the Bravico family,” said Jim Bravico.
Providing live entertainment that day will be John Hindman and the Mustang Mafia, a band that performs a genre-defying blend of country, rock, and dance from 2-6 p.m.; plus, The Big Ragoo and the Red Headed Stepchild will emcee the event.
“These are very popular acts in our area,” said Bravico. And it’s for a good cause. “Each year, our post gives scholarships to one JROTC student at each Hernando high school,” said Bravico. “Last year, we gave $1,000 to each student.”
The MCL scholarship program has grown and evolved in recent years. “We used to reserve our scholarships for students whose families were associated with the post,” Bravico said. “We knew we had to expand it. We had to help more kids.”
The stops on the Dice Run will be:
Marine Corps League #708, 8405 Sunshine Grove Road, Brooksville
Spring Hill Moose Lodge 521, 5214 Mariner Blvd., Spring Hill
Sharkey’s Bar and Grill, 3305 Shoal Line Blvd., Hernando Beach
Bayport Inn, 4835 Cortez Blvd., Bayport
Marine Corps League #708, 8405 Sunshine Grove Road, Brooksville
“For everything we do at the Moose Lodge, we want to reach out and serve the community,” said Pereira. “And when it comes to providing scholarships to kids, we wanted to be a part of it.”
Mustang Mafia spokesperson Annette Tenaglia says that the band is happy to help with this worthwhile effort. “We are honored to be involved in the second annual dice run to raise money,” she said. “Come on out and support this event and listen to some awesome live music. Let’s rock.”
