Charity Report: Poker Veterans Form PokerGives Charity Group

It has been said many times and demonstrated in many ways that the poker community is a generous group and never backs down from fundraisers and other opportunities to raise funds or awareness for charity. Several long-standing members of the poker community have now joined to form an organization with exactly that focus, collectively working to host events and raise money for worthy causes.

PokerGives.org is a non-profit organization formed by Lisa Tenner, Mike Sexton, Linda Johnson, and Jan Fisher. The four individually boast of numerous poker accomplishments, whether it be on the felt, behind a microphone as a commentator or tournament director, or in writing as poker columnists and authors. They can also be found regularly attaching their names to charity tournaments around the world as well as playing in and organizing those events to raise money for various charities. Together, the four will begin putting even more effort into charitable ventures.

Fisher noted, “We believe our combined efforts will set new standards for charitable giving. Many poker players want to give to charity and don’t know the best way to do so. PokerGives.org will make it easy for them… All they have to do is send a check to PokerGives c/o the Nevada Community Foundation. The donations [will] be gathered and distributed to worthwhile charities.”

There are five charities that have been selected by PokerGives.org thus far, though more may be added over time.

1. Sunflower Children: Founded by supermodel Helena Houdova, the organization is dedicated to contributing to better lives for disadvantaged children around the world by providing healthcare, nutritional support, and education to communities on an as-needed basis.

2. Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund: Started in 2000 as the Intrepid Museum Foundation, the non-profit organization developed into a support group for families of military personnel who lost their lives in service to the United States, as well as severely wounded members of the military and veterans.

3. Special Olympics: For many years, the Special Olympics has empowered individuals with intellectual disabilities through sports training and competition that spans 180 countries around the globe in order to bring feelings of competence, acceptance, and joy through sports.

4. Paralyzed Veterans of America: The non-profit organization was founded in 1946 and concentrates on assisting veterans of the armed forces, specifically those with spinal cord injuries or dysfunctions, through providing health care, research and education, benefits, and the pursuit of civil rights and opportunities for members.

5. American Cancer Society: The long-standing, community-based group is dedicated to eliminating cancer through prevention, research and medical care to save lives, and diminishing suffering through educatio, and advocacy for those suffering from cancer-related illnesses.

Johnson said, “Poker players are a generous group. There are so many people in need that if players and card rooms would pledge just 1% of their wins and/or profit for the year, the poker community would be able to help in a big way. Our goal at Poker Gives it to hold administrative costs to 5% or less so that a maximum amount of money can get to the charities.”

Added Sexton, “PokerGives.org will act as a charitable vehicle to collect and redistribute donations from card rooms, fundraisers, poker players, and special events.”

The first scheduled group to vow its support of PokerGives.org is the Women in Poker Hall of Fame (WiPHOF). At its second annual WiPHOF induction ceremony at the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas on June 5, 2009, the organization has vowed to donate a portion of ticket sales and live auction proceeds to PokerGives.org.

For more information on the organization, how to get involved, or donate, visit www.PokerGives.org.

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