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 !!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

One of my saddest days in Winnipeg

Image
I felt compelled to attend an information meeting of the Bruce Oake Recovery Centre.  Compelled because it will be, not in my neighbourhood, but in my City Ward.  Compelled after reading Bruce's story and his family's wish to make this recovery centre his legacy.  Compelled because of the opposition to this centre.  I wanted my voice to be a positive one. Since the land has already been rezoned, the BORC is going to happen and the meeting was to update the community on progress and get input on a few minor details.   I didn't realize that it would be one of the saddest days I have experienced in Winnipeg.   When I arrived, I experienced the "white people". They were people dressed in white who were there to oppose the Centre.  In order to get in to the community centre, I had to pass two "white people" who were at the door with placards in opposition.  It was intimidating.  They didn't deter anyone from entering but th...
Read more

There's Something from Jenny - Part 2

Image
I am trying to evolve as a blogger.  One of my friends told me that I needed to start adding my pictures to my blog so that people would know who they are communicating with.  So, good, bad, or ugly, I am adding my picture as much as I can.  It makes me feel vulnerable.  Not as vulnerable as I would feel if I was running for Mayor of a major Canadian city. I can't imagine how vulnerable I would feel, having every move and every word analyzed and taken out of context.  Perspective always defines your reality.  For example, I could tell you that I witnessed a murder by the Superstore last week.  That might bring up some powerful images in your mind.  Then, there would be those who know that a group of crows is called a murder.  That gives my previous statement have a whole different image in your mind.  So, when I spent an hour with Jenny Motkaluk that was my biggest impression.  She doesn't mind being vulnerable.  She just w...
Read more

Seriously? Opposition to BORC opening at old Vimy Arena Site

Image
I decided to go for a walk today.  It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon.  My quest was to understand the home owner's opposition to having the closed arena site being converted to a much needed addiction treatment facility.  I took some pictures on my phone and want to explain what I found out.  The first picture was taken while I was standing on the immense green space at the back of the old Vimy Arena.  You can see in the background what is the closest residential development.  It is a town house complex.  In order for someone who was participating in treatment at BORC to interact with someone living in the complex, they would have to walk and then cross a creek, and then get through the trees.  I would think the residents living in that complex would be more worried about the drainage pipe that leads on the creek.  I would be concerned about a wandering child being trapped in there.  The second pic...
Read more