This coming Saturday is the annual Justin Hutchinson Memorial Dice Run, put on by the Red Knights Motorcycle Club.
Justin Hutchinson was a volunteer firefighter that rode with Benedict Volunteer Fire Department. He was killed
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in the line of duty. This event will raise money to fund a scholarship for local students who are pursuing a degree in Fire Sciences.
The Red Knights are an international organization of motorcyclists that are also Firemen and Emergency Medical Technicians; tough guys (and ladies) that serve their communities with distinction.
The Dice Run is a group event where riders register and roll one die. That roll is recorded and then the rider goes to one of several stops predetermined for that day. At each stop the rider has their die roll recorded. At the end of the ride the scores are tallied and prizes are awarded for Highest score, Lowest score, and several combinations of rolls –perhaps five of a kind, a straight, or a full house sort of like poker.
The prizes at this year’s Dice Run are cash. In past years the winners have donated the prize money back to the scholarship fund as a show of good sportsmanship and generosity.
Last year’s ride attracted about 150 riders, but organizers are hoping that this year’s ride will attract as many as 250. The ride is open to all motorcyclists, regardless of club affiliation, and car or truck drivers as well. Bicyclists would be welcome, but the ride will likely cover over a 100 miles this year and so this may be too much for one day’s work. Riders should be over the age of 18, or may be 16 with a parental waiver.
The scholarship is awarded to High School students in the fire cadet program in Calvert and Charles counties. Applicants are assessed on both academics and participation as volunteers with their local fire companies. The monies are awarded to the scholarship winners upon the completion of a semester’s work toward a degree in Fire Science and can be used to pay for classes that contribute to that degree. The class paid for can be a general studies class such as English or Trigonometry that contributes to the overall degree in Fire Science, or a more specific class in the curriculum.
The Red Knights, Maryland Chapter 4, are a non-political organization of active and retired firefighters and EMTs. They participate with other motorcycle clubs (such as the Blue Knights, a similar organization of Police officers) to raise money through activities like this one and collect donations for the needy in Southern Maryland.
Who May Participate: Virtually everyone with a motor vehicle (motorcycle, truck, car)
When: Saturday, September 29th – registration from 10:30 to noon
Where: The run registration and start is at the Hooter’s in Waldorf – 3600 Crain Highway Waldorf, MD 20603 301-638-9464. The run ends at Benedict Marina – 19311 Wilmott Dr Benedict, MD 20612 (301) 274-2882.
Cost: $20.00 donation
What You Get For Your Money: A T-Shirt, a chance at door prizes and/or cash, hanging out with brave people that help keep our counties safe.