Texas Hold ‘Em Players Raise Funds for St. Louis Arc Programs
Lady Luck brought in the bucks at the 4th Annual “Showdown for St. Louis Arc” Texas Hold ‘Em Tournament, as the event raised $25,000 to benefit St. Louis Arc programs for people with developmental disabilities and their families. Celebrity guest and emcee Paul Harris joined more than 130 poker players who bet---and bluffed-- the night away at the fun event, which was held at the spacious Hilton Frontenac on August 22nd. Harris also served as a championship round dealer.
Prizes were awarded to table winners and trophies to the top three finishers. A tournament grand prize of $1000 was awarded to Brooks Ball of Mutual America, who graciously donated half of his winnings back to the St. Louis Arc. The Gregerson Family was a key supporter of the evening, generously purchasing two seats at the championship table by live auction.
Many volunteers worked at the event, including Arc staff and supporters and groups from the accounting firm RubinBrown LLP, Sigma Delta Service Sorority, the St. Louis Track Club, and the new Friends Group of the Arc. Special thanks to tournament sponsors S. M. Wilson, Oculus, Total Rewards Strategies, Mutual of America, and Anheuser-Busch.
Click on the photos below to see the fun!
Enjoying the tournament festivities are "Lady Luck" Rose Bretana; Mark Keeley, St. Louis Arc Vice President of Support Services; Kathy Meath, St. Louis Arc President & CEO; and Mutual of America player and dealer trainer, Steve Stansbery.
Poker players John Hartmann, Tom Auffenberg, and Joe Auffenberg place their bets in the qualifying round.
RubinBrown volunteer dealers Greg & Carol Andrews, Sherri Stephens, and Greg Smith, practice before the tournament with help from Pit Boss David Baugh.
Displaying their auction and table champion winnings: Lee Curtis, St. Louis Arc Board President Elect and wife Cher Curtis.
Some of the stars of the St. Louis Arc´s Texas Hold ´Em Poker Event: Celebrity Guest and Emcee Paul Harris; 2nd Place Winner Will Gregerson; Honorary "Lady Luck" Rose Bretana; Tournament Champion Brooks Ball of Mutual of America; and 3rd Place Winner Jeff Enderle.
