One Step Programs 2012 Charity Poker Tournament Returns As A Big Win

Former One Step camper hits the jackpot!

 

More than 270 poker players placed their bets on an entertaining evening of poker, partying and FUNdraising at One Step Programs 2012 Charity Poker Tournament on March 1st, presented by Robert W. Baird & Co. to benefit Children’s Oncology Services, Inc. (COSI).  A crowd of more than 325 players and spectators filled the River East Art Center in Chicago to support Children’s Oncology Services.  The event raised more than $110,000 for the nonprofit that offers camp experiences and educational programs that allow children with cancer to just be kids.

 

Players competed for over $20,000 in prizes including the coveted grand prize: a seat to compete at the 2012 World Series of Poker main event in Las Vegas (a $10,000 value).  Dan Bernstein from WSCR “The Score” AM 670, a COSI board member, emceed the Texas Hold ‘Em competition.  In the end only one person beat the odds to take home the grand prize: Chad Lawson of Milwaukee.  In fact, Chad was a camper in 1986 at One Step Camp when he battled cancer. Chad will also return this summer as a camp counselor as a way to give back to the nonprofit!

 

“We made a bet that poker players have big hearts and they raised our expectations to another level,” said Stuart Lissner, event co-chair and board member of COSI. “This year, because of the poker event, we will be able to send more kids to One Step Camp programs.”

 

ABOUT CHILDREN’S ONCOLOGY SERVICE, INC. (COSI)

Children’s Oncology Services, Inc. (COSI) is a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to improving the quality of life of children and adolescents diagnosed with cancer. Through the One Step Programs, COSI offers camp experiences and educational programs throughout the year that allow children with cancer to just be kids. Founded on the principle of volunteerism, all programs are run by counselors, medical staff and administrators who generously donate their time and services.  Tuition for all One Step Programs is based on a family’s own assessment of their ability to pay and no one is ever turned away. Tuition is set at a fraction of the actual cost of camp and is often partially or completely waived. For more information, please visit www.onestepcamp.org. Children’s Oncology Services, Inc. is a recognized 501 (C) 3 organization.

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POKER EVENT PHOTOS

 

Photographer: Gerber + Scarpelli