Down to the Wire: U.S. Senator vs. Intern for Grand Prize as High-Stakes Poker Players, Politicians and Celebrities Go All In for Paralyzed Veterans of America
Washington, DC—The atmosphere was electric as veterans, high-stakes poker players, politicians and celebrities gathered last night in our nation’s capital to Go All In for Paralyzed Veterans of America (Paralyzed Veterans). At the end of the evening, the two players left at the table were U.S. Senator Mark Begich and Poker Players Alliance intern R.J. Van Auken, battling for the grand prize, a place at the World Poker Tournament. The intern won and the senator was gracious in defeat.
“The Paralyzed Veterans of America put on an amazing event,” said Senator Begich. “I was incredibly proud to participate in an event that supports thousands of brave Americans who sacrificed for the defense of our country. After participating in this tournament I look forward to anteing up for our veterans through my work in the Senate.”
With host and emcee Mike Sexton, 2006 World Series of Poker Champion, and NASCAR legend Richard Petty, the Go All In for Veterans tournament and silent auction raises awareness and funds for Paralyzed Veterans and its mission to help those who have served and sacrificed for our freedoms. The event took place at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill.
“I’m delighted that so many enthusiastic poker fans cashed in their chips for a great cause, Paralyzed Veterans of America. And what a finish!” said Homer S. Townsend, executive director of Paralyzed Veterans.
High-profile tournament players attending included professional poker players Cowboy Kenna James, Andy Bloch and Lee Childs; Senator Begich, former U.S. Senator Alfonse D’Amato, and U.S. Representatives Joe Barton, Cynthia Lummis, Tom Perriello, Nick Rahall, and Shelley Berkley. Tournament chairs were Ben Affleck, Kyle Petty and Montel Williams.
The event’s sponsors include the Poker Players Alliance; Walmart; Orchestrate Technology; Data Management, Inc.; Blaine Warren Advertising, LLC; and The Craig H. Neilsen Foundation. The Poker Tournament and Silent Auction featured a general reception, a poker clinic, and prizes. Grand prizes included a VIP Race Weekend with Richard Petty, which includes round-trip airfare, hotel accommodations, pit road access and an opportunity to meet “The King”; trip to Orlando, Florida, which includes round-trip airfare, hotel accommodations, tickets to Walt Disney World and Richard Petty Driving Experience “Rookie Experience” driving passes; and Washington, DC, Weekend Getaway, which includes hotel accommodations at the Mayflower Hotel and dinner for two at Smith & Wollensky Steakhouse.
All proceeds from the Poker Tournament and Silent Auction benefited Paralyzed Veterans of America, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The organization was founded 63 years ago by a band of spinal cord injured service members who returned home from World War II to a grateful nation, but also to a world with few solutions to the challenges they faced. These veterans from the “Greatest Generation” made a decision not just to live, but to live with dignity as contributors to society. They created Paralyzed Veterans, dedicated to veterans’ service, medical research and civil rights for people with disabilities. And for more than six decades, Paralyzed Veterans of America and its 34 chapters have been working to create an America where all veterans and people with disabilities, and their families, have everything they need to thrive. (www.pva.org)
Podcasts from the Poker Tournament and Silent Auction:
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