Manitoba and Poker and Charity

Economic times are tough these days.  It is hard to tell sometimes because we spend out loud so to speak but save privately.  This translates into growing debt and struggling retirements.  The people that are really hurting these days are our charities.  Organizations that enhance lives have a harder time separating us from our money.  Charities need to get creative and partner with organizations who also want to get creative.

That was the recipe for a Charity Poker tournament that happened on February 29. 
I can tell you the important thing about this tournament was that over $5000 was raised for the Deer Lodge Centre.  Deer Lodge Centre is an important health care facility in Winnipeg and has dedicated personal care home beds for our Veterans.  That is only one of the worthy services within the Centre.  The Prime program literally changes lives.  Not to mention, the amazing chopped salad that is made at lunch time in the cafeteria.  It is the best value in the city.  Knowing that proceeds were going to charity made it a no brainer for me to register. 

Breezy Bend Golf and Country Club has a COO named Cory who is a visionary and creative and wants to make the facility more active in the winter months.  This man looks like he was born to be the COO of Breezy Bend Golf and Country Club.  He is tall, athletic, charming, charismatic and willing to take risks. 

Anyway, in addition to supporting a great charity, participants got great value for their buck.  We started at 5 pm and it went to 1 am so if you made it to the final table, you got 8 hours of poker for $100. plus a great meal plus scotch tasting plus we were treated like royalty.  Plus, we got to watch the Jets play on a big screen.  Plus, from a women's perspective, you get to use the washroom at an upscale facility where there is no line up !!Plus, there was a great bar waiting to serve us whatever we wanted to buy.  Participants got the opportunity to re-buy for the first few levels at a reduced price.  Many took advantage to up their contribution to the Charity plus the prize pool. 

Breezy Bend was taking a risk with this tournament but I think they would agree that the evening exceeded their expectations.  There were players of all skill level but regardless of how often people would re-buy or last, I think everyone laughed until their stomach hurt. 

Seriously, how often to 150+ people get together and just laugh for hours?  So much fun. 

It provided me with an opportunity for personal growth.  I know I am a slave to time, but, the reality is that nothing really starts on time anymore.  This being a huge inaugural event had a few hiccups and didn't start on time. It was no big deal and I was probably the only one who noticed.  It was a sign from the universe to me that I need to relax more and throw away the wrist watch. 

Life is difficult.  If you get an opportunity to go and meet new friends and laugh out loud, take it. 

No one is happier than me that poker is becoming more mainstream and there are more opportunities to play the game that I am trying to learn.  Well done !!

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