Calder hosts Jeff Conine Celebrity Poker Classic for a
great cause
It’s a sure bet that the inaugural Jeff Conine Celebrity Poker Classic will
become an instant hit as it pairs celebrities with poker players at all levels
for a great cause: raising awareness and funds for the Conine Clubhouse at Joe
DiMaggio Children’s Hospital.
There will be a full house at Calder Casino & Race Course on Sunday when the
VIP baseball-themed reception kicks off the fun at 6 p.m. (EDT) followed by the
poker tournament at 7 p.m. Each of the tournament tables at Calder’s Studz Poker
Club will feature a different celebrity or Florida Marlins player for
participants to test their poker faces and challenge their skills. Mike Lowell,
Josh Johnson, Mike Stanton, Gaby Sanchez, Mike Cameron and more Marlins are
scheduled to appear along with “Mr. Marlin” himself — Jeff Conine.
“We are delighted to sponsor and host the inaugural Jeff Conine Celebrity
Poker Classic,” said Austin Miller, president of Calder Casino & Race Course.
“Jeff and Cindy Conine, along with Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Foundation,
lead by example. The Conine Clubhouse is a tremendous asset in South Florida. We
are fortunate to be able to give back and are happy to do so. We can’t think of
a better cause than to help others who are coping with the devastating effects
of a child’s illness.”
“I am thrilled to launch this unique event and hope to raise much-needed
funds to support the ongoing needs of the Conine Clubhouse,” Jeff Conine said.
“Cindy and I greatly appreciate the generosity of the South Florida community
and sponsors like Calder Casino & Race Course. Without them, events like these
would not be possible.”
The event will be flush with action including a VIP welcome reception to
introduce the celebrities with an open bar and everyone’s favorite ballpark
specialties. A silent auction will feature sports memorabilia with 100 percent
of the dollars raised supporting the Conine Clubhouse. Players may also take out
a $20 “bounty” on their favorite celebrity players for a chance to win a
personally-autographed item. Leading up to the event, sports fans
and memorabilia collectors will want to check out the special eBay auction with
a variety of autographed collectors’ items. Please visit www.ConinePokerClassic.org
for a link to the eBay auctions.
The top three players will be awarded the grand prizes: $5,000 cash; a
five-night stay at the Villages at Punta Gabriela, Costa Rica, with airfare
courtesy of Spirit Airlines; and a Breitling men’s watch. Fourth through tenth
places will receive cash prizes, and the top 10 players will receive an
autographed baseball helmet.
A $250 donation to the charity gets you a seat into the tournament, and
sponsorship packages are also available. To register for the Jeff Conine
Celebrity Poker Classic, learn more, or to make a donation, click
here or call the
Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Foundation at (954) 265-7241.