More than 100 motorcycles -- and even a dirt bike -- were on-hand for the first ever Dick Melloni Youth Foundation Poker Run on Sunday.

"We are extremely elated," Rich Melloni, founder and CEO of the foundation, said of the number of participants who showed in support of the inaugural event.

Melloni is the son of the foundation's namesake: Richard H. Melloni, a former Wareham Fire Department chief who died suddenly in 1993. The foundation was formed in support of the education, health, and welfare of children in Wareham and the surrounding communities.

The Poker Run was hosted by Main Street restaurant Piper's. David Wahlstrom, who owns Piper's with his wife, Tara, is a Wareham firefighter.

Wahlstrom grew up with Rich Melloni, and knew the elder Melloni in his early firefighting career.

"What a character," Wahlstrom said of the chief.

When Piper's approached the foundation about hosting the Poker Run, it was a no-brainer, Melloni said.

"The foundation got behind it," Melloni said. "It's a generous gesture."

A motorcycle enthusiast, Wahlstrom said his goal was to "get a group of people together who normally don't get together" to support a good cause.

The Poker Run, which had participants visiting Cape Cod-area restaurants to pick up a playing card and competing for the best hand, was open to anyone, regardless of method of transportation.

The event began and ended at Piper's, and motorcycles were certainly the most popular ride. The bikes stretched down Merchants Way.

Fire & Iron, a nationwide motorcycling group consisting of firefighters, brought approximately 30 participants to the event. Wahlstrom is one of its members.

"Call it a brotherhood within a brotherhood," said a Fire & Iron participant who would only identify himself as "Match." Match serves as president of Station 144, the South Shore, Mass. chapter of the group.

"Rockstar," who serves as president of Barnstable-based Station 32, agreed.

"We support each other when we do rides," he said.

Match added: "And a beautiful day doesn't hurt!"

Melloni was humbled by the turn-out on the sunny September day.

"A lot of [the participants] aren't from Wareham, but they're supporting a local charity," he noted.

Wahlstrom said the event will take place annually.

"We'll do whatever we have to do to make this a successful event," Wahlstrom said.

It's all in the name of, as Melloni puts it, "philanthropy and taking care of each other."