L.A. Avengers set to host charity poker tournament on January 8
November 22, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Los Angeles Avengers News Release
LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Avengers, in conjunction with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, will host a Charity Poker Tournament on Sunday, Jan. 8, at BJ's Restaurant & Brewery in Burbank.
The No-Limit Texas Hold'em tournament, which also will serve as a first opportunity for fans to meet and mingle with the 2006 Avenger team, will begin at 4 p.m. All proceeds will benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The Burbank location of BJ's Restaurant & Brewery is located at 107 S. First Street (off the 5 Freeway at Olive).
"As is the case with so many people these days, many of our players love playing poker, but what we are really looking forward to is spending some time with our fans before the season starts," said Avenger head coach Ed Hodgkiss, who has guided the team into the playoffs in each of his previous four seasons at the helm. "We're also extremely pleased to be raising money for such a worthy cause. This will be a terrific event in every way."
There will be a $100 buy-in and opportunities for multiple re-buys within the first hour of the tournament. The event also will include a silent auction and raffle prizes.
To pre-register for the tournament please call Michael Shumard at (714) 938-1393 or send an e-mail to mshumard@cff.org. Doors will open at 1 p.m. and all pre-registered poker players should check in by 3 p.m. Complimentary food and beverages will be provided by BJ's Restaurant & Brewery. During the tournament, all re-buy payments must be made with either cash or credit card (no checks or Discover Card).
In addition to a variety of wonderful prizes awarded to the nine players who make it to the final table, the final five players will receive an entry into the Cystic Fibrosis Poker Tour Final, where the grand prize is a seat at the 2006 World Series of Poker ($10,000 entry fee).
Shumard, who is the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation director of special events said: "Charity poker tournaments are the new fundraising trend and we're very happy to be one of the leading organizations benefiting from the generosity of great organizations like the Los Angeles Avengers."
The mission of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation -- a donor-supported, nonprofit organization -- is to assure the development of the means to cure and control cystic fibrosis and to improve the quality of life for those with the disease.
Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease affecting approximately 30,000 children and adults in the United States. A defective gene leads to life-threatening lung infections and also affects the pancreas and liver.
Cystic fibrosis occurs in approximately one of every 3,500 live births. About 1,000 new cases of cystic fibrosis are diagnosed each year. More than 80 percent of patients are diagnosed by age three. However, nearly 10 percent of newly diagnosed cases are age 18 or older.
BJ's Restaurant & Brewery is a casual, high energy, family-oriented restaurant and bar featuring an American-style menu including award-winning deep dish pizza, pasta, salads, sandwiches, burgers, steaks, ribs and chicken, plus its own line of handcrafted microbrewed beer. BJ's opens every day at 11 a.m. and stays open late at night.
The Avengers will kick off their seventh season in the 20-year-old AFL at STAPLES Center on Sunday, Jan. 29, versus the Arizona Rattlers. Nine-game season ticket packages are on sale now. Please call 1-888-AVENGERS for more information or visit the team's official Website at www.laavengers.com.
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