One Step Closer Foundation “Raising the Stakes” at ARIA Tomorrow
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One of the most popular events each summer actually takes place outside the World Series of Poker. For years, the “Raising the Stakes” charity event by the One Step Closer Foundation, founded in 2007 by Jacob Zalewski, has been held at Planet Hollywood, but this year they’re headed across the street to ARIA Resort & Casino.
Tomorrow, Sunday, June 30 at 5 p.m. (red carpet at 4 p.m.), poker players, fans, and the public will join celebrities such as Montel Williams, Cheryl Hines, and RJ Mitte for the $300+$50 Raising the Stakes” for Cerebral Palsy (CP) Celebrity Poker Tournament. $100 rebuys and a $100 add-on will be available, as will over $20,000 in cash and prizes including $10,000 to the winner.
"I never imagined that we would raise over $1 million."
“Jacob is quite an inspiration,” Hines told PokerNews during last year's event. The Curb Your Enthusiasm actress continued: “I have a nephew who has Cerebral Palsy, he’s been in a wheelchair since he was born, and I know what a challenge that is, not only for the individual but for all the loved ones that support them. For Jacob to create an organization to help other people with CP is just amazing.”
Others slated to attend are reigning WSOP Main Event champ John Cynn, former Main Event winners Scott Blumstein, Qui Nguyen, Joe Cada, and Jamie Gold, as well as poker pros Noah Schwartz, Eli Elezra, Bernard Lee, Robert & Michael Mizrachi, Matt Stout, and Jennifer Tilly, among others.
Celebrities that will join them are comedian Norm MacDonald, Elyes Gabel, Mekhi Phifer, golfer Jordan Baker, model Stacy Fusion, model Jaime Edmonton, and Rick and Morty artist David Roman.
"I never imagined that we would raise over $1 million and be having regular tournaments for the past 12 years. Every year, I’m truly humbled to see the support that the foundation receives. I want to thank everyone who has ever come out to play in one of our events,” Zalewski said during last December's event.
Finding a New Home
For the first time in the charity event’s long history, festivities will be held at ARIA, who are excited to welcome the star-studded field, which of course is open to the public.
“ARIA Poker is excited to team up with The One Step Closer Foundation for an amazing cause."
“We are so proud to partner with The One Step Closer Foundation to bring necessary and vital funds to families that have been affected by Cerebral Palsy,” said Sam Simmons, President at Poker Central. “This event has historically been personally enjoyable for me and I look forward to our partnership to bring awareness and funding to such a great cause.”
Sean McCormack, Director of Poker Operations, added: “ARIA Poker is excited to team up with The One Step Closer Foundation for an amazing cause. We are proud that the foundation asked us to facilitate such an incredible event and look forward to many years of a successful partnership.”
Tournament Information
- WHEN: Sunday, June 30th, 2019 at 5:00 pm
- WHERE: Aria Resort & Casino- 3730 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89158
- MEDIA: Red Carpet: 4:00 pm; Check-in: 3:30 pm. To attend, please contact Joy Brown at [email protected] or 310-621-7005
For more information, follow @1scf on Twitter.
Images courtesy of 1SCF.
