Mom holds motorcycle poker run in daughter's name

By EVE HIGHTOWER
ehightower@modbee.com

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If Bonnye Spray's daughter were alive, she would have just turned 20. She'd still be volunteering her time and raising money for charities in other people's names.

Since Amanda Clark isn't here to do it, her mother is hosting the fund-raiser. This time, it's in Clark's name.

The Oakdale woman died a year ago this week. On April 1, she took a corner on the Highway 120 bypass to Interstate 5 too fast while arguing on the phone with her roommate. She crashed and died the next day from her injuries.

One of the last things Amanda Clark, 19, of Oakdale did with her family before her fatal car crash was a poker run in Fresno, Ca. She wanted to do it every year. Now that she is gone, her family has vowed to do a run of their own every year to raise money for a charity, as she would want.

HOW IT WORKS

START: Rocko's Sports Bar, 757 N. Main St., Manteca
REGISTRATION: Register and leave between 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. Saturday.
ENTRY FEE: $25 for riders, $15 for passengers
ROUTE: The ride snakes 142 miles from Manteca through Oakdale and Copperopolis to Farmington. Players will pick up cards at locations along the way. The player with the best hand at the end wins.
ACTIVITIES: The ride ends with a dinner and live music at Lagorio's. Those interested in just the dinner can join in for $20 at Lagorio's. There will be a silent auction, raffle and more.
DETAILS: For more information, go to www.amandashonor.com, or call Bonnye Spray at 847-9012 or Brian Clark Sr. at 765-3744.

"She was a very giving person. A friend had cancer, so she grew out her hair and donated it to Locks of Love," Spray said tearfully.

A day before the accident, Clark had gone with her dad on a motorcycle poker run in Fresno.

Poker run participants pay to enter and pick up a card at each stop along the route. The person with the best poker hand at the end of the ride wins. Speed has nothing to do with it, so players are free to ride slowly and enjoy the scenery.

"She was so excited and wanted to do it every year," Spray said.

So Spray is doing it for her and asking others to join.

All profits will benefit the Family Support Network, which offers parenting classes, health education, school readiness and other child-focused services to families in eastern Stanislaus County, said Karen O'Bannon, the network's director.

Proceeds from the run will help buy car seats and chairs for classrooms.

"The more I learned about (Family Support Network), the more I felt Amanda would work for it," Spray said.

She said she hopes to raise $5,000. There will be enough cards and food for 500 participants.

Bee staff writer Eve Hightower can be reached at ehightower@modbee.com or 578-2382.