Poker tournament to benefit national MS Society
By Avi Rutschman avi@theacorn.com

Losing your hard-earned pay in a poker game can be disheartening. But Mark Guerrero, a Thousand Oaks resident, is organizing a card game where even the losers can walk away cheerfully.

From 2 to 7 p.m. Sat., May 20, Guerrero will host a charity poker tournament to raise money for the national Multiple Sclerosis Society. Participants will be required to pay a $30 registration fee, all of which will help fight MS.

"By having a poker tournament where scores of people can come together, learn more about MS than they knew the day before, and show those with MS that people care, goes a long ways in the hearts and minds of those with the disease," Guerrero said.

Prizes will be donated by local businesses, allowing all the proceeds to be doled out to charity. The top three finishers and the top-ranking team will win prizes.

"Businesses such as Vons, BJ's, Starbucks and Claim Jumper have stepped forward and made donations which will serve as prizes, a martial arts dojo has donated its space, the chairs and tables are donated, and people around the community are signing up to participate," Guerrero said.

The winning team will be the one whose top three players have lowest combined places. For example, if the top three players on a team finish 14th, 11th and 9th, the team score will be 34.

Guerrero will also be participating in the national MS Society's MS Challenge Walk, a 50-mile walk from Carlsbad to San Diego. The event will start on June 23 and end June 25. Guerrero has pledged to raise $2,500 as part of his participation in the walk.

"I believe that our community and are world are all connected and therefore wanted to give to the community in some way, to some organization," Guerrero said. "The national MS Society was a great way to give to my community, and offered quite the challenge-raising $2,500 and walking 50 miles is no easy task, but it pales in comparison to those that deal with MS on a day to day basis. This event really puts things into perspective about what is difficult in life and all the simple steps one can take for another."

The poker tournament will be at Warrior Quest Society Dojo in Newbury Park at 1111 Rancho Conejo Road, Ste. 503.

The tournament will be limited to 75 participants and interested parties are encouraged to sign up soon.

For more information on participating in the tournament or donating contact Mark Guerrero at mark.guerrero@gmail.com.