A bid for charity's sake

Contestants in a Texas Hold 'Em poker tournament conducted Saturday to benefit the Children's Center concentrate on their strategies.

By Colette Lefebvre

Nevada Daily Mail

A sweltering Sunday afternoon in August brought many Nevadans and Vernon Countians to the Fraternal Order of the Eagles lodge in Nevada, for a special event benefitting local children.

Event volunteers were pleased with the turnout that included more than 20 participants, on Saturday, Aug. 5. The fund-raiser was held for the Children's Center of Nevada, Mo. Above, from left to right are Sarah Toronto, of the Wellness Center; Rob Sewell, of Heartland Behavioral Health, Trisha Bridgewater, of the Wellness Center; Amy Koopman of the Children's Center; and Jennifer Thomas, juvenile officer.

For the first time, the fund-raising committee for the Children's Center conducted a Texas Hold 'Em poker tournament.

Amy Koopman, a child advocate for the Nevada chapter of the Children's Center said, "It's our first time at it," but the event exceeded the group's expectations.

The turnout was estimated at more than 20 by juvenile officers Jennifer Thomas. Thomas is a member of the fund-raising committee and has been involved with many of the events that the Children's Center has held during the past year. "We have done chili suppers, three-on-three basketball tournaments, a fall pie auction; and this year .we are planning to have some sort of New Year's Eve Gala." said Thompson.

Various local retailers and individuals sponsored tables and donated prizes. To the volunteers, it was a great way to raise money for the local Children's centers programs. Each participant paid a $15 dollar entry fee.

The Children's Center aids children in Vernon, Barton, Dade, St. Clair, Bates and Cedar counties.

The funds raised will be spent to help the Children's Center function. The month of July saw the rates of children coming into the center rise. But members believe that it's not a rise in crime but a rise in the rate of reporting.

"Since July we have seen 28 kids" reported Koopman.

The Eagles donated the use of the hall and a gaggle of bartenders, and offered cookies and pretzels.

Rob Sewell of Heartland Behavioral Health Services, addressed the participants with the hopes of receiving extra donations for the Children's Center. Sewell announced the grand prize and second and third place prizes, all of which were gift certificates to a local store. But, all the participants were going to receive something -- for example, the first to be eliminated from the tournament received a pink pig candle, a truly unique donated item.

The top three prize winners were Anthony Jones of Lamar. third place; Byron West of Nevada, second place; and the brand prize winner was Toby Gicante of Nevada.

Koopman reported that all in all there were 29 people and the event raised around $600. "We were expecting less. We were extremely pleased with the amount of people and plan on having this event again next year." said Koopman.

Texas Hold 'Em is currently the most popular of the community card poker games.