2023 Wild West Poker Tournament

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The Wild West Poker Tournament was a rootin’ tootin’ good time for all in attendance!

On Saturday, April 29th, poker enthusiasts and friends of the Village gathered at The Clubs of Kingwood, for an unforgettable evening of fun and friendly competition. This event was sponsored by Insperity and co-chaired by Lawrence and Cher Pope, longtime board members and champions of the Village.

Guests were treated to a night of western-themed fun, including a delicious spread of classic country favorites such as chicken-fried chicken biscuit sliders, pulled pork sliders, and fan-favorite banana pudding. The Clubs of Kingwood was transformed into a cowboy’s paradise with rustic decor, bringing to life the spirit of the old Wild West. Attendees tested their luck in the raffle, wine & liquor pull, and various casino games, including Texas hold ‘em poker, blackjack, roulette, and craps. Local guitarist Ricky Johnson, accompanied by Gage Bettel on the fiddle, entertained guests with country hits both young and old.

A highlight of the evening was a moving speech by Dixie Frantz, author of A Joyful Embrace, the true story of raising her daughter who was diagnosed with severe cerebral palsy at a young age. In memory of her daughter, Mimi, who was a client of The Village Centers for many years, all proceeds from book sales will be donated to The Village.

Click here to order A Joyful Embrace from Amazon

The Texas Hold ‘Em tournament took center stage for the evening, with guests competing for the grand prize, a two-night stay at Margaritaville Lake Conroe resort. The tournament saw some intense competition as players showcased their skills and purchased additional chips to improve their odds, all in support of the mission of The Village Centers. There were several close calls and nail-biting moments, but in the end, Maria Hayden emerged as the champion and took home the grand prize.

The evening ended with the raffle drawing, which featured some incredible prizes, including tickets to see Shania Twain in concert, a COACH purse, and a Blue Bonnet wine trail package.

Overall, the Wild West Poker Tournament was a great success and brought together 150 community members for an entertaining evening and a wonderful cause. Contributions made during the event combined with sponsorship and ticket sales raised over $80,000 to support adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We thank you for your support!

Congratulations to our Texas Hold ‘Em Poker Winners!
1st – Maria Hayden
2nd – Lawrence Pope
3rd – Chad Tew
4th – Gannon Humphries
5th – Cher Pope

Thank you to our Wild West Poker Tournament Co-Chairs!
Lawrence and Cher Pope

Thank you to our Wild West Poker Tournament Committee Members and Volunteers!

Jeanette Brown, Nancy Brown, Greg Coltharp, Stephanie Courtney, Gwendolyn Crawford, Sharon Crubaugh, Danielle Deleon, Andrew Edmundson, Pat Guard – Photography, Marie Halvatzis, Darcy Henry, John & Linda Hernandez, Melissa Hunter, Tyler Jones – Photography, Kingwood HS Students, Kingwood Park HS Students, Erin Malerba, Arlene Martinez & Family, Cher Pope, Donna Prieto, Collin Prusak, DJ Stancomb, Christina Whaley, and Michelle Zuniga

CLICK HERE TO VIEW MORE PHOTOS FROM THE POKER TOURNAMENT