Cloudy skies offered a quick break from the week's hundred degree heat on Saturday morning - only to be replaced by hot bikes and hot rods at the 2nd annual John Simard American Legion Riders Poker Run and Car Show.

Deeann Danin helped organize the day's worth of events.

"Just trying to get the people in, let them know who we are," she says. "It's important that they get involved because they are the reason we're here. As well as the troops, of course."

The non-profit organization has nearly 3 million members worldwide and can be seen and heard riding across Kansas, supporting the nation's troops.

Today's event featured food, live music, car and bike shows and raffles. It was all part of the effort to raise money for the riders' annual projects.

But sending troops care packages and escorting them home from overseas are not the only tasks riders hold close to their heart. The fundraiser is held in honor of Donna Simard's late husband John. John founded the first post for American Legion Riders in Wichita.

"This branch is awesome," says Donna. "Helping abused kids, sick kids in the hospital, we go visit them. We do all kinds of stuff but people don't know that."

Perhaps more important than their good deeds is the sense of community riders feel this weekend as they celebrate Independence Day.