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Vermont Poker Tournament Assists the Make-a-Wish Foundation

South Burlington hosted a poker tournament and charity event held on Nov. 19th, where 200 players vied for the right to be called Texas Hold'em champion.

"It's a chance to win, everybody loves poker because you know it's gambling," said Vermont Poker Classic's John Crabbe.

Another participant, David McGinnis, retired early from hunting deer to join the competition. "I'm up a little, I'm not any of the big stacks at the table," he said.

"So if you are good, you have a chance to play, I am jonesing because I can't be in there playing right now," added Crabbe. He said paying the $200 buy-in was worth it because the winner gets to take home $10,000 dollars, not to mention bragging rights.

"And you know what, everyone in there is having a great time, even if they're knocked out."

The participants, aside from having a ton of fun, are also helping out a charity. 50% of the event's proceeds, which amounts to roughly $10,000, will benefit the Make-a-Wish foundation of Vermont . Kim Anderson of Make-a-Wish says that the average "wish" costs about $14,000.

"To have an event that raises almost $10,000, that's almost an entire wish," said Kim Anderson, with the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

One of the most popular wishes they get from sick children is a trip to Disneyland. "I always say that we're taking these kids and we're giving them a rest from everything, something to look forward to in their times of treatments or, it's something, we almost treat as part of their medical protocol," said Anderson.

"It's a good way to help out a good charity -- Make-A-Wish. I own a business in town, we donate a lot to them, it's a good benefit and it's fun," said McGinnis.

12/03/2006, Sunday
Matthew Dorst

Vermont Poker Tournament Assists the Make-a-Wish Foundation

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