High-Stakes Poker Tournament Grips River Oaks

What: Arms Wide Adoption Service‘s Texas Hold’Em Tournament

Where: River Oaks Country Club

PC Moment: Limits and poker faces were put to the test all in the name of philanthropy,  thanks to the 11th Annual All In For Adoption Texas Hold’Em Tournament.

While guests and players took part in serious poker matches, host and emcee Lisa Malosky kept the crowd on their feet and locked into all the happenings including luxury door prizes and live and silent auctions. There were a few of the newbie players who needed “cheat sheets,” provided by Arms Wide Adoption, which also offered  hands-on Texas Hold’Em lessons early in the evening for newcomers.

Tensions ran high as card sharks unseated past champions and thereby collected chip bonuses. Trophies were presented to first place winner Russell Brown and to Jeremy Ham in second and Mike Dignam in third.

The event raised more than $184,000 to support Arms Wide Adoption Services, as well as raising initial awareness for National Adoption Month. The night, in turn, celebrated the 40th anniversary of Arms Wide Adoption Services, capping off with special thank yous, as well as photos and stories from more than 6,000 foster children in Texas, who are waiting for their forever families.

All proceeds from the All In For Adoption event will aid Arms Wide Adoption Services to continue placing foster children with safe and nurturing adoptive families at no cost to the children and families they serve. All in all, these services will allow more children currently in foster care the ability to connect with the forever families that they are hoping for.

Who: Co-Chairs Steve Kennedy, Will Maxwell and Michael Tsang; plus Brittany Hildebrand, Oana and Keith Maxwell, Laurann Claridge, Mark Paull, Amy Blumrosen, Brian Romere, Genevieve and Nathan Kroeker, Trey Tomjanovich, Reese Henningsen, Trace Williams, Alexandra Mouton, Mayleen Lee, Sabrina and Jeremy Ham.