On May 18, New York Giants players will join former NBA great Malik Rose, actor Malik Yoba and 2002 World Series of Poker champion Robert Varkonyi, among other luminaries, to engage in a little friendly competition—as well as to enjoy an open bar, appetizers, foosball, billiards, casino-style games of chance and a soundtrack provided by DJ Sky Pager—all for a worthy cause.
TORCH (Together Our Resources Can Help) has organized the evening at Slate Restaurant Bar & Billiards in New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood to benefit the underserved New York teens to which it provides various services, including after-school activities and on-the-job training.
Players can join at multiple sponsorship levels, starting with the most basic: an individual poker buy-in for $250 (which includes $5,000 in starting chips, as well as a free night’s stay at Caesars Atlantic City—a perq all poker players at the event will receive). The top prize of the night includes a $10,000 seat in the World Series of Poker main event in Las Vegas with two nights’ stay at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas. There are other exciting prizes for participants, but the best reward will be in knowing that anything contributed for this event will go to help high school students who might not get another chance to fulfill their potential and brighten their future.
“The evening is shaping up to be a blast, with a great mix of sports stars, poker champs and people who just like to have fun for a great cause,” said Debi Deutsch, executive director of TORCH. “We are looking forward to some competitive poker playing—but if that’s not your game, we’ll also have black jack, craps and roulette.”
Since 1999, the TORCH Program has been dedicated to transforming the lives of underserved New York City public high school students by providing intensive exposure to career training and opportunities in communications and the arts, all while facilitating a meaningful way of increasing the diversity of the workforce in those industries.
TORCH helps fill the void by providing students the opportunity to participate in meaningful after-school activities where they are able to explore career options and interests, define career goals and gain actual on-the-job training in communications and the arts, all under the guidance of professional mentors. Ultimately, students are provided with the tools to formulate and pursue career and educational goals. For more information, go to www.thetorchprogram.org.
The benefit will be held at Slate Restaurant Bar & Billiards, 54 W. 21 Street, from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.
