Two of Poker News Daily’s very own guest columnists have teamed up to form Poker Gives, an organization that aims to raise money for charity through the game. Mike Sexton and Linda Johnson, both monthly contributors, have joined forces with Jan Fisher and Lisa Tenner to name five target charities.
The beneficiaries of Poker Gives will receive at least 95% of the funds donated by players. They consist of Special Olympics, Sunflower Children, Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, American Cancer Society, and Paralyzed Veterans of America. The latter was the recipient of funds raised by the Poker Players Alliance (PPA) at events held during the Democratic and Republican National Conventions in 2008. Johnson told Poker News Daily, “When we were selecting our charities, we were looking for ones that everyone is in favor of. We weren’t looking for anything controversial or objectionable.” Interested poker players can contribute to other charities by donating through the Nevada Community Foundation.
The aim of Poker Gives is to keep overhead expenses at less than 5% and none of the four founding members will receive compensation. It has already been named the charity of choice by the Women in Poker Hall of Fame, of which Johnson was an inaugural inductee last year. In her ceremony, Sexton served as the emcee and Fisher delivered the keynote. On June 4th, Poker Gives will host a charitable tournament on the day before the 2009 class is enshrined in the Hall, one of its first sanctioned events.
The four founding members of Poker Gives have a long history together. Johnson, who is a co-owner of CardPlayer Cruises, served as the in studio announcer for the World Poker Tour (WPT). Meanwhile, Sexton brought the WPT’s product into the homes of millions of poker fans as its host and Fisher was the tournament series’ statistician. Johnson explained, “Mike, Jan, and I have all been friends for more than 20 years. When I ran CardPlayer Magazine, I gave Mike his first job as a writer. It was his first opportunity to be a part of the industry. Lisa and her husband are partners in CardPlayer Cruises. We are all friends and wanted to do something to give back.” Johnson is also a founding member of the Tournament Directors’ Association along with Fisher, Matt Savage, and David Lamb.
Charitable poker tournaments have become a staple of the industry. Ultimate Bet personality Annie Duke is set to raise money for Refugees International, a component of Ante Up for Africa, on the second installment of NBC’s “The Celebrity Apprentice,” which debuts in March. Recent fundraisers benefiting the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Adopt-A-Rescue-Pet, and the TASER Charity have all been made possible because of the generosity of poker players. Poker Gives affords industry members another chance to give back and paint the industry in a positive light. Johnson explained, “This makes poker players look good to the media and mainstream America. There are so many good people out there. A lot of people want to give, but they just don’t know how.”
Johnson, Sexton, Fisher, and Tenner are now busy contacting card rooms to donate a portion of their tournament entries to Poker Gives. In addition, the possibility of holding a special poker charity day is on the table. During the 2008 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event, tournament officials solicited players to donate 1% of their winnings to “Put a Bad Beat on Cancer.” One high-profile player who agreed to do so was WSOP November Nine member Dennis Phillips, who ultimately finished third for $4.5 million. PokerStars matched Phillips’ contribution.
Tenner founded the Queens of Heart, an all-female poker squad competing for charity during the WSOP. Past Queens of Heart members have included “Desperate Housewives” actress Teri Hatcher, three-time WSOP bracelet holder Barbara Enright, and Clonie Gowen, who has made news headlines in recent months with her lawsuit against Full Tilt Poker. The Queens of Heart is currently seeking out another member for its 2009 team by holding a series of $100 tournament qualifiers.
Those wishing to contribute on behalf of Poker Gives can mail checks to:
Poker Gives
c/o Nevada Community Foundation
300 South Fourth Street, Suite 1009
Las Vegas, NV 89101
Donations are tax deductible and the organization is a 501 (c)(3).