PokerStars is joining forces with the Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood in Hollywood, Florida to assist with the SHR's fundraising efforts in the wake of Hurricane Irma. On October 3rd at 7pm, the Seminole Hard Rock will be hosting a charity tournament with proceeds going to Feeding South Florida. The Caribbean and South Florida were devastated by Hurricane Irma earlier this month. PokerStars' sponsored players, such as Florida resident Jason Mercier, Jen Shahade, and Jeff Gross, will be attending this special charity tournament to raise money for Irma relief organization Feeding South Florida. Through Helping Hands, PokerStars will be matching funds raised at the charity tournament on a dollar-to-dollar basis up to $100,000.
The poker community always steps up during natural disasters. In this instance, poker players will be throwing a special charity tournament to raise money for Hurricane Irma victims through Feeding South Florida. The Seminole Hard Rock Casino in Hollywood, Florida has been the epicenter of poker in the Sunshine state for almost a decade. It will also play host to a charity tournament on October 3rd. PokerStars will be matching any funds donated from this tournament (up to $100,000) through their special corporate charitable partner Helping Hands. A handful of PokerStars pros will be there including Jeff Gross, Jen Shahade, and Jason Mercier.
Florida resident Jason Mercier had his Twitter followers on edge while he and his pregnant wife were deciding whether or not to evacuate their South Florida home as Hurricane Irma was headed right toward them.
The charity tournament begins at 7pm on October 3rd. The suggested buy-in/donation is $300, with unlimited re-entries during the first two hours. There will be a special player party and silent auction at 6pm to kick off the festivities. PokerStars donated a special prize -- 2018 PCA Main Event package worth $20,000.
For more info, visit the SHR's website.
“We're proud to partner with Feeding South Florida and PokerStars to be part of this hurricane relief initiative,” said Susan Renneisen, vice president of community affairs and special events at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. “It's upsetting to see the damage that so many families have endured during this storm season. We encourage everyone in the community to help however they can. Every bit helps, and we are glad to be able to do our part.”
“The devastation created by Hurricane Irma across Southern Florida has impacted so many lives and PokerStars are proud to support the Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood in their fundraising tournament in aid of Feeding South Florida,” added Sue Hammett, Head of Corporate Giving at The Stars Group. “We all witnessed the impact and destruction which swept across the Caribbean and Southern Florida and we hope our support of this event will help with the recovery process for those who have been affected. We encourage as many people as possible to attend this event, which will be attended by PokerStars ambassadors Jason Mercier, Jen Shahade and Jeff Gross, as well as members of our Hollywood office who themselves were directly affected by Irma. Through our corporate giving program Helping Hands, we are matching the funds raised on the night dollar for dollar up to $100,000. Together, with Seminole Hard Rock, we're proud to make a difference.”
According to a press release: "Funds raised from the tournament will go directly to Feeding South Florida's distribution efforts, ensuring water, meals and other non-food supplies are getting to those most in need of assistance. Feeding South Florida serves 25 percent of the state's food insecure population, from Key West, north to Jupiter. Families struggling to make ends meet are in need more than ever as some lost everything, including their homes, cars and food. While continuing to support evacuees in shelters, Feeding South Florida also supports cities with boil water alerts, families struggling to put food on the table and nearly 400 non-profit partner agencies."
For more information, please visit: www.seminolehardrockhollywood.com/HurricaneRelief.
