On Friday, September 17th, Cinelounge Outdoors hosted Hollywood PAL’s Annual Texas Hold’em Charity Poker Tournament in their incredible outdoor venue on Las Palmas. As our first in-person fund raising event post pandemic, it was a huge success!
The evening began with cocktails and catching up. Colleagues and community leaders reconnected while poker newbies sat for lessons to learn Texas Hold’em basics. As check-in continued and table assignments were made for the tournament’s start, everyone enjoyed music and mingling as they put on their poker faces.
Hollywood PAL Board Chair Roy Condon with fellow Board member Peyton Nealis welcomed everyone and said a few words about Hollywood PAL and our mission to drive positive change, focusing on the development of positive relationships between kids, officers, and community members. It’s about humanizing the badge and recognizing all people matter regardless of different backgrounds and beliefs.
Roy shared that a friend of PAL issued a donation match challenge for up to $2,500 and fellow poker players shouted out their pledges to meet the match in less than sixty seconds!
Then, our amazing tournament handlers, the Poker People went over the basic rules and started the clock to let the tournament begin!
The tournament was off to a wild start with players going all out, some being eliminated, some moving on as the competition was fierce. There was a short break for food, drinks, and cigars before starting up again with 36 people left to become the final nine. As the final table was prepared and a 2nd meal provided to energize the group, the last nine players raised, called, checked and finally went all in until the Poker Champion shouted out his victory!
Congratulations to the final nine that made it to the last table, Rebecca, Paul, Nicole, Adam, Brian Jeff, Anthonette, Bill, and our 2021 Poker Champion, Christian!
But the true winners are all of our Hollywood PAL kids as the event raised over $27,000 to support their programs!
Thank you to our table sponsors – blk Water International, Hollywood Offices – PCD, Mill Creek Residential, Hollywood Pantages, Paramount Studios, and Shorenstein/MPLA for filling the event with a fun group of people ready to go all-in and support our kids.
Extra special shout-outs tour in-kind donors: Cinelounge Outdoors, Arts District Brewery, Blue Palms Brewhouse, blk Water International, Classic Parking, and Wood & Vine for an amazing venue, discounted parking, incredible food, drinks, and prizes.
Check out the photo album on FaceBook here
THANK YOU ALL OUR TABLE HOSTS
