PokerWorks

Comedian, actor, and poker enthusiast Brad Garrett is set to host a charity poker tournament on April 20th at Hollywood Park Casino in Los Angeles. All proceeds from the tournament will benefit the 1736 Family Crisis Center, an organization that operates numerous shelters for victims of domestic violence.

The Brad Garrett Texas Hold’em Poker Tournament will start at 1pm on Sunday, April 20th with registration, and the poker tournament will start at 2pm. There is a $350 buy-in for the tournament with $100 rebuys during the first hour. For those who simply want to attend and not play in the tournament, there is a $75 non-player admission. First place in the tournament will be good for $10,000 in cash, with the second place finisher receiving a seat in the World Poker Tour’s 2009 Celebrity invitational. Additional prizes will be given to the final ten players.

Joining Garrett at the tournament will be Ray Romano, Mimi Rogers, Anthony Anderson, Jennie Garth, Peter Facinelli, Joely Fisher, and poker pro Cyndy Violette. Garrett has promised to roast several of his friends throughout the day’s events – guaranteed to keep guests laughing and enjoying the festivities.

In a letter to invite participation in the event, Garrett said, “There is a foundation which is very important to me, 1736 Family Crisis Center. They run eight centers/shelters that house mothers and children that are literally fleeing for their lives because of domestic abuse, physical and emotional, as well as abandonment. Homeless children, runaway teens and beaten wives/mothers are housed and protected completely free of charge. They are given food, clothing, daily therapy, legal help, transportation, case management, and most important a home where they can thrive and feel safe with loving reinforcement from counselors and therapists in a 24-hour helpful, nourishing environment; something that every human being deserves, yet tens of thousands never receive.”

He continued, “I am grateful for your consideration. If you can’t make it, please consider a donation. One-hundred percent of the dollars to run and build the programs for their thousands of clients comes from grants and donations. Don’t forget that yours counts and please give graciously…”

1736 Family Crisis Center, which has been running for 35 years, currently operates five shelters, three clinic, five 24-hour emergency response stations and outreach services. The organization notes that 25,000 abuse victims and children were helped by the services in 2007. For more information, visit www.1736fcc.org or call the Director of Special Programs, Tobi Quintiliani, at (310) 543-9900 ext. 210.