Celebrity poker tourney raises $60k for kids
31st January, 2008
Philadelphia baseball star Geoff Jenkins has raised $60,000 (£30,200) for a children's charity by hosting a celebrity poker tournament.
The outfielder invited 42 high-profile friends to the Jackrabbit Lounge in Phoenix to play a tournament for the benefit of the Boys and Girls Club, a community action group that aims to reach out to underprivileged American kids.
Among the attendees at the event were household US sporting names such as Paul Konerko of the White Sox, Russell Martin of the Dodgers and Brian Roberts of the Orioles - as well as numerous unnamed musicians and local celebrities.
Jenkins proudly told the Major League Baseball press that every participating player donated $1,000 of their own money to the event, while 19 commercial sponsors issued further grants as well as paying to set up all the poker tables.
"As athletes we have a chance to do some good," Jenkins commented. "Why not do it with something everyone enjoys doing anyway? It was easy rounding up guys to participate in this."
The baseball star confirmed that plans are now afoot to turn the tournament into an annual fundraising event.
