Poker Gives is the Poker Fundraising Division of Vegas Connected,Inc. an all-volunteer non-profit organization.
Poker Gives was originally founded by poker industry professionals Mike Sexton, Linda Johnson, Jan Fisher, and Lisa Tenner as a way for poker players and the poker industry to give back to worthwhile charity organizations.
In early 2015, the founders passed the baton to Lupe Soto who has been doing charity work in Las Vegas for years.
Since Vegas Connected Inc is a service oriented community organization, the new mission of Poker Gives is to raise funds through poker events and private donations and distribute them on behalf of the poker world to our direct service programs.
Money is raised in a variety of ways including private donations from poker players, auctions, poker tournaments, home game fundraisers, and other activities. Poker Gives hopes to raise the bar by assisting more families, youth, veterans and homeless individuals each year.
New to our team is 2017 Golden Hand Service Award Recipient, Barbara Zangaro Jones. She has taken the helm as Vegas Connected Executive Director and we couldn’t be more thrilled to have her. As a volunteer extraordinaire, she has been coordinating efforts to help the homeless in Las Vegas with weekly clothing, toiletries, blankets, jackets, towels and water distributions. Most recently, a meal program began during the Covid Pandemic due to lack of services for this segment of the population. Barbara also coordinates the annual holiday parties for families living at Shade Tree, a shelter for victims of domestic violence. We welcome her dedication and vision while serving our community.
YOU TOO CAN HELP
From recreational to professional poker players, anyone may donate a lump sum or can pledge to give a percentage of their annual winnings to Poker Gives.
Other ways to help support Poker Gives is:
- Challenge your friends to see who can raise the most money during a designated time-frame
- Donate items for our auctions or prizes for our events
- Volunteer! If you are not able to donate funds, and you have a service or skill that is helpful to Poker Gives, we’d love to hear from you. In the past, most of our expense items have been donated.
Fundraisers:
- Tag Team Switch Poker Tournament
- Women in Poker Hall of Fame
- Women’s Poker Association
HOW POKER GIVES SUPPORTS VEGAS CONNECTED PROGRAMS
Vegas Connected Inc is a Domestic Non Profit Corporation, Entity Number E1893632019-6 and Nevada Business ID NV20191586044, granted by the Secretary of State, Carson City, Nevada. Vegas Connected is approved by the State of Nevada under NRS 463.409 to coordinate charitable gaming. Vegas Connected EIN number 84-2681334 is lawfully operating as a non-profit Federal Tax Exempt organization from the Internal Revenue Service.