Go All-In for Veterans by Mike Sexton

2008 was an incredible year.  The poker world continued to expand globally and here in the U.S., we elected Barack Obama, a black President (of course, we’re hoping he’s a pro-poker President).  The Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) held its first-ever “Go All-In for Veterans” charity poker tournament in Washington, D.C.  I was honored to co-host the event with NASCAR great Richard Petty and it was an incredibly moving experience.  It was one of those nights that you put in a frame and hang on the wall.  I’d like to extend a special thanks to my wife Karen and poker pros Linda Johnson, Jan Fisher, Kenna James, Marsha Waggoner, and Lee Childs for joining me at that event.

The “Go All-In for Veterans” charity poker tournament is a way that the poker industry can give back to those who have sacrificed for us.  I can’t imagine a better or more deserving charity than the PVA.  I wish everyone could take a tour through a Veterans Hospital and visit the wonderful young people that have sacrificed for us and see what it takes for paralyzed vets to get through each and every day.  Your perspective of a bad beat will change dramatically.  God bless all of those people who support the PVA and the volunteers and employees at the VA Hospitals who help the paralyzed vets in their rehab efforts.

Whether or not you’re for or against the war, you have to appreciate everyone who serves our country in the Armed Forces.  We should all give special thanks to paralyzed veterans, those who have made the ultimate sacrifice so that we may enjoy our freedoms and lifestyle.  In my view, we can never thank them enough.

The PVA was founded in 1946.  Its mission: To develop a unique expertise on a wide variety of issues involving the special needs of its members, who are veterans of the Armed Forces who have experienced spinal cord injuries or dysfunction.  The PVA is the only Congressionally chartered veterans’ service organization dedicated solely for the benefit and representation of individuals with spinal cord injuries or disease.

Honorary co-chairs of the upcoming “Go All-In for Veterans” charity tournaments and silent auctions include Ben Affleck, Senator Alfonse D’Amato, Montel Williams, Richard and Kyle Petty, Andy Bloch, Lee Childs, and me.  Participants include paralyzed veterans, professional poker players, professional racecar drivers, Hollywood celebrities, and corporate and community leaders in support of the mission of the PVA.  Everyone is welcome to play.  The buy-in for each of these events is $1,000 and numerous prizes will be awarded.  Sponsorship opportunities range from $1,500 to $50,000.

This is your chance to help benefit tens of thousands of veterans who rely on the services and programs of the PVA.  Through your support, you will become a partner with an organization fondly considered to be the voice of paralyzed veterans in the White House, on Capitol Hill, and throughout America.  All proceeds from the “Go All-In for Veterans” poker tournaments and silent auctions benefit the PVA, a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization dedicated for the benefit of veterans with spinal cord injury or disease.  The PVA is the only Congressionally chartered veterans organization dedicated solely to serving the needs of SCI/SCD veterans.

Save the Dates for “Go All-In for Veterans:”

Washington, D.C.:  March 25th, 2009 at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill (6:00pm reception, 7:00pm tournament)

For further information, please contact Meredith Magwire at (703) 288-8686 or via e-mail at mmagwire@hayespr.com. I hope to see you at the upcoming “Go All-In for Veterans” charity poker tournaments.

Speaking of poker and charity, the poker world is made up of many generous individuals who want to give back.  Many players and casinos support worthwhile causes and host charity events so that the less fortunate can benefit.  To help organize the poker world in giving, a new organization has been formed.  It’s called “Poker Gives,” which is a non-profit organization that was founded by Linda Johnson, Jan Fisher, and me in 2008.  Lisa Tenner deserves kudos, as she was extremely helpful in coordinating and organizing Poker Gives.  Special thanks also goes to Lupe Soto (CEO of the Ladies International Poker Series) for the organization’s support for Poker Gives and for helping design the logo and website.

We’re hoping that Poker Gives can raise a substantial amount of money, enhance the image of the poker industry, and most importantly, make a difference in many people’s lives.  A project of this magnitude can only be accomplished by a large number of people who care and so far, it seems as though many do. The goal of Poker Gives is to raise funds through the poker world to be donated to mainstream charities.  All efforts will be made to keep the administrative costs to 10% or less and no Founding Members or Board Members will receive a salary.  We expect a minimum of 90% of all funds raised to reach charities.

Poker Gives’ mission statement: To provide financial aid and humanitarian efforts to mainstream charities through support from the poker industry.  Collectively, players have an opportunity to make a difference and create a better world by providing a variety of social services to those in need.  A list of charities that Poker Gives will support will be forthcoming soon, but you can be sure that the PVA will be one of them.

On a personal note, this past year has been amazing for me as well.  On August 21st, 2008, my wife Karen and I were blessed with our first child – a beautiful, healthy boy – Ty Michael Sexton.  As most of you know, the experience of having a first-born is mind-boggling and puts what’s really important in life in a whole new perspective.  I hung a picture in Ty’s room that sums it all up pretty well.  It’s a little boy staring out over a pond and the picture is entitled “P-R-I-O-R-I-T-I-E-S.”  It reads, “A hundred years from now, it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove… but the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child.”

Being a good parent trumps everything else – and that is my new goal in life.

Happy New Year!