On April 20th, 2024, the Hartford Masonic Lodge #609 hosted the inaugural Eric “BigN” Lanman Memorial Poker Chip Run for side by sides and other off-road vehicles.
The event took place at Poteau Mountain on the Belle Star Loop and was coordinated out of Yellow Dog Outfitters Lodge. There were 30 side by sides and one motorcycle at the event, which raised $4006.00!
“BigN” was a huge supporter of child and youth programs, so the Lodge voted to donate all of the money to programs of that nature.
On May 21,2024, Mrs. Emily Bumpus, and Mrs. Rachel Walker, (BigN’s daughters) presented a check to Mansfield Schools for $1,503.00 to be used toward unpaid student lunch debt. Then, they travelled to Hackett Schools and presented a check for $1,503.00 to go towards the meal and snack take home program.
The remaining $1,000.00 was given to a Brother Mason whose wife suffered a stroke recently while seven months pregnant and has been in the hospital since. The baby was taken 2 months early, but both are doing well.
This will become an annual event for Hartford Masonic Lodge #609 to carry on the legacy of Eric “BigN” Lanman’s support of the youth in our area.
