Marklund Casino Night & Poker Tournament October 8, 2009

More than $30,000 in prizes will be available to guests at the 2nd Marklund Casino Night & Poker Tournament taking place at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8, 2009, at McGrath Lexus, 1250 W. Division St., Chicago.

Guests will enjoy a real Vegas-style experience featuring cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, music, blackjack, craps, roulette and the poker tournament. A poker buy-in costs $195 ($250 after Oct. 5), and it includes admission for one additional casino guest. Casino-only entry costs $75 and includes food, beverage and starter chips for the casino.

It’s all for a good cause: Marklund, a not-for-profit dedicated to enriching the lives of infants, children and adults with severe developmental disabilities.

“This event is an incredible opportunity for guests to have a great, fun night out locally,” said Vicki Krystof, communications manager for Marklund. “Everyone wins, knowing that they’re supporting our mission and all of the children and adults we serve.”

The evening events and times are:

6 p.m. – Registration and casino open
7 p.m. – Poker begins
8 p.m. – Poker break and auction
8:45 p.m. – Poker continues
10:45 p.m. – Casino closed
11 p.m. – Raffle drawing
11:30 p.m. – Poker final table

The final ten poker players will make up the final table of the tournament. The winning player will go on to The World Series of Poker $5,200 buy in Main Circuit Event at Horseshoe Casino in Hammond, IN (plus a gift card). The runner-up will receive an entry to the World Series of Poker Circuit event at Horseshoe Casino plus an additional gift card. Top ten finishers of the poker tournament collectively will receive more than $12,000 in prizes. There will be no cash prizes awarded.

Shannon Fahey is chair of the event, and committee members include Brad Akers, Tip Top Branding; Annie Beckler, Jack-FM; Diana Book; Claudia Coffey; Greg Keller; Frank Rende; Chris Rion, American Grading; Matt Schuman, impact365; Melissa Sloniker; Ron Slucker, impact365; Jeffrey Sons; Dorothy Svedman, Temco; and Todd Zirlin, Blue Sky Marketing.

Leading the support are the following committed and generous sponsors: McGrath Lexus, Horseshoe Casino, Jack FM 104.3, and IMPACT 365.

Sponsorships are available from $500 and up, and sponsorship benefits include poker entries, casino guest entries, promotion on Marklund website, mention on 104.3 Jack FM and logo on Jack FM website, advertising in Marklund event programs, logo display on AV presentations during the event, signage and more.

For more information or to register, visit http://www.marklund.org/poker, call IMPACT 365 at 773-474- 7150 or email Marklund@impact365.com.

About Marklund

Founded in 1954, Marklund enriches the lives of those with special healthcare needs by honoring the unique purpose of each individual. Those served are able to enjoy a full and meaningful life supported by a compassionate nurturing environment; a strong partnership with the community; and an unmatched dedication to personal growth. Marklund’s vision: Rising above limitations.

Marklund’s main campus in Geneva, Ill., consists of six 16-bed residential homes for adults with severe and profound developmental disabilities as well as an educational and training center that provides for the intensive medical, social, emotional and physical needs of the residents.

In Bloomingdale, Ill., the Marklund Philip Center for Children encompasses the Children’s Home, a skilled pediatric nursing facility for infants, children and medically fragile adults; the Day School, an education program for children ages 3 - 21; early intervention for infants and toddlers age birth to three; and Marklund’s respite program.

For more information about Marklund, call Vicki Krystof at 630-593-5482 or visit http://www.marklund.org.

Official Website: http://www.marklund.org/poker