The Triton is hosting its fifth annual Poker Run on Aug. 17 to raise money for the Marine Training Program at Broward College. 

The Run, which starts at 5 p.m. at Hall of Fame Marina, is a five-stop tour of town. At each stop, pick a card. The best hand wins. We’re gathering some fun prizes, including a stay-cation at the Marriott Harbor Beach and some gift baskets.

From Hall of Fame Marina, head to Crew Unlimited (in the same plaza as Waxy O'Connors), then to Maritime Professional Training (1915 S. Andrews Ave.), and then to Universal Marine Center (2700 SW 25th Terrace, next to RPM Diesel on SR84).

The Run will end by 6 p.m. at National Marine Suppliers for regular Triton Networking. If you can’t join us for the Run, join us for networking at National (2800 SW. 2nd Ave.), and perhaps donate to the cause.

Until then, learn more about what motivates The Triton to produce this fundraiser each year from Triton Publisher David Reed.

Q. So tell us why you do this. 

This is another level of helping kids. These kids -- unlike the kids who are abused and neglected that we help at Kids in Distress -- are looking for an education. Kids have a lot of reasons not to go to school. We didn’t want money to be one of them.

All the money raised at the Poker Run goes to the Triton Scholarship and is dedicated to the Marine Training Program at Broward College. Just $2,000 puts one kid through the whole two-year program.

It’s basically a primer course in repairing boats, from electronics and engine room stuff to fiberglass. If we can help a couple kids go back to school, it enables our community to provide labor for our industry, which helps us all thrive. And it keeps Ft. Lauderdale viable as the Yachting Capital of the World.

Q. How long have you had your scholarship?

The Poker Run is five years old; the scholarship is four. While we donated proceeds from the first run to Broward College’s marine program, it didn’t have official scholarships. The Triton's was the first named scholarship for the program. We’ve only been able to help one kid a year, so far, but we’re hoping more people will spend some time and money with us so we can grow the scholarship. 

We’ve gotten some nice letters from kids who have gone through the program already. It’s really great to know we’ve helped a specific kid.

Q. Why end at National? Doesn’t National have it’s own poker run?

Yes, National owner Dean du Toit hosts the industry’s biggest poker run just before the Ft. Lauderdale International Boat Show in October each year. Dean loves his motorbikes, and always puts on a good show. Trouble was, in previous years, National was just a stop in our ride, but people would stay there and hang out. So National is the end point this year. Consider it a prelude to the October ride.

And now for a bit from National.

Q. What is the history of National Marine?

I started National Marine Suppliers in 1990 and I am very much and always will be involved in the day-to-day operation of the company. It started out from working on yachts and realizing the need and being able to supply and service at a wholesale level.

I have been in the business of parts, provisions, and worldwide logistics for more than 22 years. National Marine Suppliers is based in Ft. Lauderdale in a state-of-the-art facility with a staff of more than 100, all of whom are specialists in their field.

Q. What are the primary services you offer?

Sourcing specialty products, supplies and provisions to megayachts worldwide. We have a department for every need: engineering, deck, galley, safety, medical, interior, uniforms, custom cordage and fueling, and a by-the-industry/for-the-industry Ebay store where we list items for our customers. We also offer life raft and fire safety equipment recertifications through our vendor network.

Q. You have other offices, right?

We operate out of the United States, Italy, France, Germany, and St. Maarten, and our shipping and global logistics department is a professional team that has mastered and streamlined the process of shipping anything anywhere. Goods can easily be shipped to all major ports worldwide, as well as the most remote countries and islands.

In addition we have a daily delivery service from Miami to the Palm Beaches with a multitude of products available for priority rush service.

The large volume of shipments that leaves our facility enables us to pass discounts on to the customer.

We opened our store in St. Maarten last year and it has been a great success. We have a dingy dock for boats to send the tender to pick up their spares to avoid the traffic scene on the island. We stock our most popular items and regularly ship special order items to our customers on a daily basis.

Q. Tell us about the staff that crew will work with closest.

When contacting National Marine Suppliers, crew will not deal with order takers. Instead they will reach a staff comprised of captains, engineers, mates, chefs, and stews who have first-hand knowledge of the specialized products crew require. We have worked alongside yacht owners, captains, crew, and management companies for the past 20 years, which has made us industry leaders with a proven track record.

Find the mid-month August networking event at National Marine Suppliers, 2800 SW. 2nd Ave., Ft. Lauderdale, 33315, www.nationalmarine.com.