Jacksonville
native Bill Pyburn
Founder, Jax River Rally
has a heart for service to his community
and a passion
for boating. A firefighter for more than 37 years,
Pyburn
dedicated countless hours to the department and serving the
city.
Upon
retirement, Pyburn continued to pursue power boating,
a long time
hobby of his. He became involved with Poker Runs and later
realized
Jacksonville would be the perfect location to host one.
Since 2002 he
has been the director of the
Jacksonville
River Rally Charity Poker Run, combining his love of boating
with helping
local charities.
Pyburn's Poker Run has given over
$150,000
to charity over the years. Charities that have benefited
from the
Jacksonville River Rally Poker Run
include the Jay Fund,
Police Athletic League, Muscular
Dystrophy Association and
Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
Money raised by the 2009 Poker Run
will be donated to the Jacksonville
chapter of The American Lung Association.
Pyburn
feels fortunate to spend his retirement enjoying power
boating
while making
a difference in the community.
