The Central Missouri Honor Flight’s sixth annual poker event happened on Saturday, Feb. 25, on the Elks Lodge Occasion Middle in Columbia. Video games of Texas Maintain ‘em started at 1 p.m. with roughly 140 gamers in attendance. For the reason that occasion began in 2018, the tournaments have raised greater than a complete of $71,000 with the most important 12 months to this point, 2022, elevating simply over $20,000. Chris Malone, who coordinated the occasion, stated this 12 months’s on-line public sale alone has raised $16,000, and since every thing occurring right this moment will solely enhance the overall, he hopes to interrupt final 12 months’s file. Together with the poker event, there was a collection of raffles and silent auctions, catered meals and a bar.
Tara Carpenter, left, pulls out a 3 of diamonds for the day’s first drawing whereas Chris Malone, the occasion coordinator, publicizes the winner on Saturday, on the Elk Park Occasion Middle in Columbia. “I had someone come to me [in] 2018 about someone operating a poker event for the Central Missouri Honor Flight, and I simply ran with it, and right here we’re, 12 months quantity six,” Malone stated. “[I hope] to boost some huge cash for the Central Missouri Honor Flight and for everyone to have a superb time.”
“I went as a guardian (with the Honor Flight) this 12 months for the primary time. Superb expertise,” Malone stated. “Guardians assist the veterans round. In the event that they must be pushed in a wheelchair or any of that sort of stuff, that’s what we’re there for.”
Chuck Bobinmye waits his flip throughout a recreation of Texas Maintain ’em whereas on the Central Missouri Honor Flight’s annual poker event on Saturday, on the Elk Park Occasion Middle in Columbia. Bobinmyer stated he got here to the occasion as a result of he likes to help veterans, and he enjoys taking part in poker and assembly “a bunch of excellent folks.”
Christy Johnson, who helped run the event, stated fundraising and serving to help the Honor Flight is essential due to the enjoyment it brings to the veterans. She stated poker is enjoyable and an effective way to convey folks from everywhere in the state collectively.
Brandon Swisher seems to be at his playing cards through the Central Missouri Honor Flight’s annual poker event on Saturday, on the Elk Park Occasion Middle in Columbia. Swisher stated he got here out due to “good pals and high quality time.”
“If anybody has the chance to be a Guardian and assist with the Honor Flight, do it. It’s essentially the most magical expertise ever,” Johnson stated. “(Chris Malone and I,] we’ve each bought loads of pals who’ve been veterans, and simply to listen to them discuss and the experiences they’ve, there’s no higher folks to assist.”
Hazel Lewis laughs at one other participant’s joke whereas the vendor shuffles on Saturday, on the Elk Park Occasion Middle in Columbia. “That is the one event I imagine in supporting as a result of they’re for veterans they usually serve our nation,” Lewis stated.