Inaugural Speedway Children¿s Charities poker tournament raises $6,859; Annual grant distribution and tree-lighting ceremony set for Nov. 30

 

 

The Las Vegas Chapter of Speedway Children's Charities hosted its inaugural Texas Hold ¿em Poker Tournament on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2004, at The Cannery Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.  The evening of ¿cards for kids¿ raised $6,859 for the children of southern Nevada.

First prize was claimed by Rick Taylor, who won a party suite at The Orleans Arena (event to be determined), including: 30 suite tickets, exclusive access to the premium concourse level, 10 VIP parking passes and concierge service.

Second place was won by Bobby McKenna.  McKenna won the ultimate racer¿s experience: a King¿s Package from the Richard Petty Driving Experience and a Checkered Flag Experience from the Mario Andretti Racing Experience.

Third prize -- a golf twosome each month for one year at the Aliante Golf Club in northwest Las Vegas ¿ was won by Bill Turner.

The second annual Speedway Children¿s Charities Texas Hold ¿em Poker Tournament will take place at The Cannery Hotel & Casino on Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2005.

The Las Vegas Chapter of Speedway Children¿s Charities will hold its annual Christmas Tree Lighting & Grant Distribution Ceremony at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Nov. 30 at 6 p.m.  A total of $275,140 will be distributed to 51 local children¿s causes.

Speedway Children's Charities (www.speedwaycharities.org) is a non-profit foundation based in Charlotte, N.C., that distributes funds to charities and foundations providing medical, emotional and social services to children in need.  Founded in 1984 by O. Bruton Smith, chief executive officer of Speedway Motorsports, Inc., Speedway Children's Charities has grown into a national foundation with chapters located at each of the six Speedway Motorsports Inc., facilities, including Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif., Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway, Lowe's Motor Speedway in Charlotte, N.C., Texas Motor Speedway in Dallas-Ft. Worth and Atlanta Motor Speedway. Each chapter's objective is to assist as many children as possible.

Last December, the Las Vegas Chapter of Speedway Children's Charities distributed $250,000 to 41 local causes which directly impact the lives of children in the Las Vegas and southern Nevada region.