It was time once again to shuffle up and deal at the 2nd Annual Tim Hortons Children’s Foundation (THCF) Poker Tournament at The Point Restaurant in Chestermere. The event turned out to be an exciting evening of poker’s classic style NO Limit Texas Holdem complete with a buffet dinner and silent auction.
Close to 200 men and women attended the event, which was presented by Chestermere Tim Hortons owner, Andrew Marriott and raises money so that the THCF can send deserving children living across Canada to week-long camps, giving them the opportunity to take part in an experience they will never forget.
Jeff Storck is the General Manager of the Tim Hortons Children’s Ranch and addressed the guests at the fundraiser explaining the impact they are making by participating in such an event. “We are celebrating our 40th year of serving children below the poverty line,” says Storck, “Statistics Canada says that a household income of less than $20,000 with some dependants is below the poverty line, and these are the children that are coming to our camps.”
“Our camp is 100% free and we serve over 17,000 children a year with seven camps across Canada, last year we sent 18 kids to camp because of this event and this year we are pushing for even more because we do truly make an impact on children. You can be proud to be making a difference for them,” says Storck, who adds, “We cannot do what we do without the support of events like this one.”
Andrew Marriott explains that he and other Tim Hortons Restaurant owners work closely with schools, community services, churches and other youth organizations to select the appropriate children who might not otherwise have the opportunity to take part in a camp experience.
Marriott went on to announce the annual Tim Hortons Camp Day is coming up on June 4, 2014. “When you purchase a coffee on June 4th, 100% of the proceeds will be donated to the Tim Horton Children’s Foundation so that even more kids can go to camp so come on in and enjoy a coffee on Camp Day.”
With more poker participants and increased chances to win a prize, an incredible record was set by raising even more funds than last year, “Our second annual Tim Hortons Children’s Foundation Charity Poker Tournament surpassed our first year in participation, prizes and enthusiasm. Our sell out event helped raise over $24,000 for our foundation – which equates to sending 24 well deserving kids to camp”, beams Marriott.
According to Marriott, the final table went past midnight as Ken Pivarnyik survived a few ‘all in’ hands to finally capture top prize. Bruce McAllister, our local MLA had another good run through the evening but had a bounty target on again this year, succumbing to a good beat. Alex Halat, our local fundraising king had a great run to the final tables, but pulled up short after giving up his bounty prize.
Fun side prizes including bounties and bad beat prizes made the game even more entertaining. “Our sponsors really stepped up this year to make it a very exciting event, Cary Mullen of Vivo Resorts supplied two top prize accommodations for 10 in Puerto Escondido, Mexico. Premium poker tables as well as large screen TV’s were just a few of the tournament prizes awarded to the top 20 places”, says Marriott.
“Another successful year of bringing Chestermerians together really shows how this community gives back to worthy causes. Tim Hortons is proud to send two kids to camp from every restaurant, events like this not only sustain our valued program, but allows fantastic expansion of our camps into Manitoba next year, and hopefully soon into British Columbia,” says Marriott, who concludes by saying, “On behalf of the 17,000 children that will attend one of the seven Foundation camps this year, thank you!”
For more information on the Tim Horton Children’s Foundation visit www.timhortons.com or visit the Chestermere location on June 4th to support Camp Day.
