Coraopolis Resident Wins Big at MLF Charity Poker Tournament
Rivers Casino Raises More Than $22,000 for the Pittsburgh Nonprofit
PITTSBURGH - Sept. 19, 2011 -- James Brian Patterson of Coraopolis, Pa., was named the winner of the first-ever Mario Lemieux Foundation Charity Poker Tournament, held on Saturday, Sept. 17 at Rivers Casino. Patterson took home $17,604 for the grand prize. Subsequent cash prizes were given out to the top 15 winners in the tournament.
"There were plenty of winners, but none bigger than the area families and research supported by The Mario Lemieux Foundation," said Craig Clark, general manager, Rivers Casino. "We are thrilled to be able to share in the success of this inaugural tournament with Mario's foundation."
The tournament generated $22,300 for The Mario Lemieux Foundation. More than 160 people participated in the tournament's main event on Saturday.
"I want to thank the entire Rivers Casino team for including us in this exciting day of poker play," said Nancy Angus, executive director for The Mario Lemieux Foundation. "The casino team and patrons continue to show great enthusiasm and support for The Foundation."
A limited-quantity $5 gaming chip to commemorate The Foundation's tournament was also introduced during the event. The chip features Lemieux's famed "66" icon and is available for purchase at the casino.
In addition to the funding generated from poker play, Rivers also donated a portion of the commemorative chips sales, increasing the casino's contribution to The Mario Lemieux Foundation by $5,000.
ABOUT RIVERS CASINO
Rivers Casino, named "Best Overall Gaming Resort" in Pennsylvania by Casino Player magazine and "Best Overall Casino" in Pennsylvania by Strictly Slots magazine, opened in August 2009. The casino features nearly 3,000 slots, more than 100 table games, nine distinctive restaurants and bars, a riverside amphitheater, live music performances, free parking and multiple promotions and giveaways daily. Rivers Casino is one of 10 operating casinos in Pennsylvania and employs approximately 1,400 people. Already, more than $124 million in jackpots have been awarded to players at Rivers Casino. For more information, visit www.theriverscasino.com.
ABOUT THE MARIO LEMIEUX FOUNDATION
The Mario Lemieux Foundation was created in 1993 by hockey legend Mario Lemieux. After a successful battle with Hodgkin's disease, Mario is now cancer-free and devotes much of his time to the Foundation raising funds to support its initiatives. The Mario Lemieux Foundation is dedicated to raising funds for cancer and neonatal research as well as Austin's Playroom Project, an initiative that creates sibling playrooms in medical facilities. For more information, visit www.mariolemieux.org.
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