The LA Lakers Youth Foundation received a boost to its coffers this week following the Bodog sponsored Los Angeles Lakers 3rd Annual Casíno Night and Celebrity Poker Invitational.
Bodog CEO Calvin Ayre together with Lakers owner Dr. Jerry Buss was on hand to welcome guests to the event, held at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica. Lakers fan John Horne won the poker game with second place going to Rossi Morreale of Extra.
During the fundraiser, guests learned how to play poker at the “Bodog Poker Boot Camp” where Bodog Girls were on hand to provide free poker lessons.
Bodog and Lakers friends and family who attended the event included: Phil Jackson, Jeanie Buss, Magic Johnson, Paris Hilton, Marcia Cross, Josh Duhamel, Anne Heche, Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon, Jeremy Piven, Regina King, Penny Marshall, Lacey Chabert, Dean Cain, Shannon Elizabeth, Jennifer Tilly, Rick and Kathy Hilton, Annie Duke, Bai Ling, Ricki Lake, Olivia Wilde, Brody Jenner, Phil Laak, Linda Rambis, Michele Merkin, David Anders, Jon Rose, Jon Kelley, Rue and more.
L.A. Lakers past and present in attendance included: Kobe Bryant, Lamar Odom, Smush Parker, Chris Mihm, Luke Walton, Sasha Vujacic, Devean George, Kwame Brown, Andrew Bynum, Brian Cook, Devin Green, Jim Jackson, Aaron McKie, Ronny Turiaf, Von Wafer, Kareem Abdul Jabbar and Kurt Rambis.
Ayre donated $150,000 to the L.A. Lakers Youth Foundation in a check presentation made during halftime at a Lakers vs. Clippers game at the Staples Center. One hundred percent of the event proceeds benefited the L.A. Lakers Youth Foundation, which provides financial assistance to more than 30 children’s charities in the Los Angeles area. Education, medical care and after-school activities for at-risk youth are among the programs the L.A. Lakers Youth Foundation provides.