2024 Tropical Paradise Poker Tournament
The Tropical Paradise Poker Tournament, presented by Insperity, fully embodied the spirit of "It's 5 o'clock somewhere" on Saturday, March 23rd.
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Hosted on the beaches of “Margaritaville”, also known as the Kingwood Country Club, the evening featured a blend of high-stakes poker and laid-back island vibes. The tournament was sponsored by Insperity and co-chaired by Dave and Gwendolyn Crawford, longtime supporters and champions of the Village.
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Guests were treated to a night of tropical-themed fun, including a delicious spread of mouth-watering cuisine that featured Haitian chicken skewers, Cuban sliders, and fan-favorite piña colada banana pudding. The scene at the Kingwood Country Club was straight out of a Jimmy Buffett song, with tropical flowers, palm leaves, and grass skirts aplenty, thanks to volunteers Michelle Zuniga and Jeanette Brown.
While mingling on the "white sandy beaches" and sipping frozen cocktails, attendees tested their luck in the raffle and wine pull and the various casino games including Texas hold ‘em poker, blackjack, roulette, and craps. Live music was provided by Big Blue Thumb, a local group that serenaded guests with everything from Jimmy Buffet to The Beach Boys.
A highlight of the evening was an inspiring Villager martial arts demonstration led by Jeff, Renee, and Chance Battenberg of Battenberg’s Martial Arts & Fitness. For the past several months, the Battenbergs have led four classes a week at the Day Program and have observed significant improvements in the health, mobility, and cognitive abilities of participating Villagers.
The Texas Hold ‘Em 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, Wayne Garrison emerged as the champion and took home the grand prize, a two-night stay at Margaritaville Lake Conroe resort.
Check out the video to watch Villager Clara's improvement in her martial arts class!
Congratulations to our 2024 Texas Hold ‘Em Poker Winners!
1st – Wayne Garrison
2nd – Skip Bellinger
3rd – Randy Fitz
4th – Maria Hayden
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The evening ended with the raffle drawing, which featured some incredible prizes such as tickets to see Brooks & Dunn in concert, a gift card tree with $500+ in gift cards, and a tequila-tasting package.
All proceeds from the Tropical Paradise Poker Tournament support the Village’s vital programs and initiatives which provide adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities access to education, employment, and social services tailored to their unique needs.
