The 10th Annual Ante4autism event was held Saturday night at the Golden Nugget and set a new record by raising over $130,000! The winner was Todd Gerdes from Restonic, who was presented the winner’s plaque by Co-Host Karina Jett and the runner up was local Las Vegas player Brian Heglund. “We set a record for the # of players at 237, with over 40 sponsors, it was a truly special evening”, said Co-Host Randy Coconis. Randy went on to say, “It is very satisfying to see all the people come out to play, socialize and support the Autism cause.” “We want to thank everyone that came out to support the event Saturday,” CoHost Myra Stone said. “It was a fantastic event!”
Celebrities and poker pros turned out in force: Michael Krinsky (Founder Doug Krinsky’s son with Autism) Nicholas Gonzalez, Erik Seidel, Jennifer Harmon, Frank Kassela, Kenna James, Chip Jett, Karina Jett, Jeff Madsen, Kevyn Major Howard, The Duke of Fremont, Bryan Caraway, Dennis Haskins, Scott Flansburg , Taylor Barton, Jacqueline & Chris Laurita, Ricardo Laguna, and Erik Aude all enjoyed the evening.
Sponsors included $15,000 Presenting Sponsor Leggett & Platt: $10,000 Final Table sponsor – Symbol Mattress, $10,000 sponsors – Ashley Furniture and Furniture First, $5,000 sponsors – Restonic, Sauder Woodworking Co., Karl & Cathi Glassman, Protect-A-Bed, Eclipse International & Eastman House, $2,500 sponsors – Brooklyn Bedding, A. Lava & Son, High Risk Pregnancy Center of Las Vegas, Planned Furniture Promotions, $1,000 sponsors – Customatic, Roger Magowitz, Malouf, Corsicana Mattress Company, Angelique Clark, Elfa International, Coconis Furniture, Mantua Manufacturing, Shari & Kevin Wagner, Myra Stone – Ashley Marketing Specialist, Custom Fundraising Solutions, Big Sandy Superstores and BoxDrop Mattress & Furniture Direct, $500 sponsors – Amber Engine, Janet Pickett & Jim Ruwe, Gary Fazio, David Deye, Jones Fiber, Richmond Furniture Gallery, Devan Chemicals, Cranes Mattress Superstore, Larry McKay, and Maxime Knitting and $250 sponsors – Michael Alan Furniture & Design, Englander, Great American & Kevin Toman. Joyce Cassen, MD/Stepherd Eye Center also sponsored. Sponsorships and donations can be made by contacting Doug Krinsky, Ante4autism@aol.com, 614-554-0802 or Ante4autism.com.
The 5 charities that will receive the proceeds of the event this year are: The Paula and Anthony Rich Center for Autism at Youngstown State University, Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities at the Touro University Nevada, Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus – Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders, Autism Speaks, and the National Autism Association – Southeast Ohio Chapter (NAASEO).