St. Louis Arc

Supporting People with Developmental Disabilities and Their Families Since 1950

Texas Hold ‘Em Players Raise Funds for St. Louis Arc Programs

More than 160 people put on their poker faces and made their best bluffs at the 5th annual “Showdown for St. Louis Arc” Texas Hold ‘Em Poker Tournament. But the big winner at the end of the evening was the Arc. The event, held Friday, August 28 at the Hilton Frontenac St. Louis, raised $30,000. Proceeds benefit the agency’s programs for people with developmental disabilities.

KMOX talk show host Mark Reardon was the Arc’s special guest. He served as event emcee and played some poker as well. The Gregerson Family also helped set the tone of the night with a special and emotional speech about how much the Arc’s programs and services have meant to them over the years.

Prizes went to the table winners. Trophies and bragging rights were awarded to the top three finishers. Champion Tony Winkeler opted to split his $1,000 tournament prize with second-place finisher Carl Lumley. Last year’s winner, Brooks Ball of Mutual of America, took third place in this year’s event.

Many volunteers pitched in for poker night, including St. Louis Arc employees and friends, plus employees from RubinBrown and members of the Epsilon Sigma Alpha Service Sorority. We thank them for their time and talent.

The St. Louis Arc would also like to extend special thanks to tournament sponsor Centene Corporation, corporate sponsors Total Rewards Strategies and Mutual of America, and major in-kind donors Anheuser-Busch and Fitz’s.

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.

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.

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.

RubinBrown volunteer dealers Greg & Carol Andrews, Sherri Stephens, and Greg Smith, practice before the tournament with help from Pit Boss David Baugh.

Displaying their auctionand table champion winnings:  Lee Curtis, St. Louis Arc Board President Elect and wife Cher Curtis.

Displaying their auctionand 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 ChampionBrooks Ball of Mutual of America; and 3rd Place Winner Jeff Enderle.

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 ChampionBrooks Ball of Mutual of America; and 3rd Place Winner Jeff Enderle.

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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 auctionand 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 ChampionBrooks Ball of Mutual of America; and 3rd Place Winner Jeff Enderle.

United Way of Greater St. Louis

Better Business Bureau

Affiliated Chapter of The Arc