The Santa Clarita Valley Jaycees will host the 3rd annual Texas Hold’em Charity Poker Tournament on Saturday, August 25th at the City of Santa Clarita’s Activities Center.
For only $125, this fun and exciting event will allow players of all ages to enjoy food and drinks in a true poker room atmosphere with professional dealers, tables and tournament directors, all while contributing to two worthy causes. The tournament was founded by Missy Blair and Mandy Drake, in memory of their mother Debbie Templeton, who lost the fight against ovarian cancer in December 2003. Helmed by chair Ryan Drake (Mandy’s husband), the event has raised more than $20,000 over the past two years for the Brenda Mehling Cancer Fund, (BMCF) the American Cancer Society and the Gilda Radner Familial Ovarian Cancer Registry.
This year’s event has expanded with catering donated by Be a Guest at Your Own Party. It will offer up to 150 players tons of door prizes and top 10 awards like plasma TVs, Southwest Airline tickets, Disneyland Park Hopper Tickets, Staples Center Suites, iPods and more. The coveted trophy winner will receive a 2-Day pass to the World Poker Tour Boot Camp where he or she will learn to. “Know when to hold ’em and know when to fold ’em,” from champion poker players like T.J. Cloutier, Mark Seif, Clonnie Gowen and others.
Player and guest sign-ups are currently available at www.bmcf.net/poker . Limited sponsorship opportunities are also still available.
The BMCF supports patients ages 18 to 40 currently undergoing cancer treatment with services to meet daily needs. It provides home health care services, co-payments required by many health plans for medical care, temporary housing and other expenses for those temporarily unable to pay bills like rent, insurance and food. Since Brenda founded the Fund in 2001, it has helped 147 recipients, providing $50,922 in support services in 2005 and $43,312 in 2006. It has committed to give $50,000 in 2007.
About the Gilda Radner Familial Ovarian Cancer Registry
The GRFOCR works to identify new genes associated with ovarian cancer. This helps to reduce risk in women who may be more susceptible to the disease and improve genetic and psychosocial counseling for individuals and families.
The Jaycees (short for Junior Chamber of Commerce) is an exciting community service group dedicated to making a positive impact in the Santa Clarita Valley. We are individuals between the ages of 21 and 40 who are seeking to be involved in our community through service projects and community events. The SCV Jaycees were named the top chapter in the nation in 2006 and are nominated for the 2007 VIA Rising Star Award.
For more information, please contact the Tournament Chair, Ryan Drake at 661-313-5858 or ryandrake@bmcf.net .