Autism Speaks to benefit from Vegas poker tourney
By David Perry -- Furniture Today, January 25, 2010
LAS VEGAS —
Organizers of a fundraising event here for autism are following up on their success last year with a second poker tournament. Ante 4 Autism is set for Tuesday evening during the Las Vegas Market, which runs Feb. 1-5.
Doug Krinsky, the Restonic executive who is the parent of a child with autism and who spearheaded the poker tournament last fall, says the event has gained momentum. He is promising a bigger tournament this year.
“Our second annual event will raise funds to help families and give all of us in the industry the opportunity to give back and have fun at the same time,” Krinsky said. “It is devastating to see the impact this disability has on families. We are optimistic that some day in the near future we can find the cause of autism and prevent it.”
The tournament will be held again in downtown Las Vegas at Binion's, which has made a name for itself in poker circles over the years with televised poker tournaments. The Ante 4 Autism event starts at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 2. The entry fee is $125, with $50 of that fee going to Autism Speaks, the autism advocacy group.
“Autism spectrum disorders are diagnosed now in one in 110 children in the United States, affecting four times as many boys as girls,” said Krinsky.
Furniture retailers, buyers, manufacturers, sales representatives and suppliers attending the Las Vegas Market are invited to the tournament, Krinsky said.
Joining him as hosts for the event are David Wachendorfer of Tempur-Pedic; Phil Miner of Symbol Mattress; Randy Coconis of Coconis Furniture, Zanesville, Ohio; Stuart Carlitz of Eclipse and Eastman House; Scott Graham and Jerry Williams, both of PMD Furniture Direct, Columbus, Ohio; and Joseph Amato of Mattress Matters, Cleveland.
This year's event includes several prizes, including a queen-sized Tempur-Pedic sleep set, a queen-sized set of Restonic bedding, a foursome at Ohio State's Scarlet golf course; and two tickets to the Miami-Ohio State football game in September in Columbus.
Anyone interested in donating items, sponsoring a player or registering to play in the tournament can go to www.ramarketing.com/ante4autism, or can stop by Binion's at 6 p.m. on the day of the event. Checks can be made out to Autism Speaks and mailed to Doug Krinsky at 5405 Blackhawk Forest Drive, Westerville, Ohio, 43082, or can be dropped off at the tournament.
Autism Speaks aims to increase awareness about autism and to raise funds for research, family services and advocacy in local communities and nationwide.
Krinsky said Kyle Doran of R&A Marketing and Marv Beneteau of RMG are helping with this year's event.
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Autism Speaks to benefit from poker tourney
Jan 12, 2010
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