Every year, UltimateBet invites the best real-world and online poker players to Aruba, where they host the Aruba Poker Classic, a week-long event where players compete for their share of millions of dollars. The card players revealed a soft side recently thanks to a special fundraising tournament hosted by the online poker site. They’ll be competing to help a fantastic local charity that has touched the lives of hundreds of local people, Kinderhuis Imeldahof
The Children’s Home Imeldahof offers temporary home and guidance to children who are unable to remain in their own homes due to mental, physical and sexual abuse, neglect, and alcohol or drug abuse by parents. The Home provides more than just physical shelter for the resident children, with an emphasis on providing for their emotional well-being as a priority.
When the tournament was announced, Annie Duke had this to say: “We are proud to support such a worthy cause for local kids in Aruba, and we invite everyone – poker player or not – to turn out at the Radisson ballroom to participate. Come along and help UB raise thousands of dollars in donations that will directly assist Imeldahof complete this project and provide an environment in which their children can relax, have fun and be safe.”
On this occasion, 100 percent of the $100 rebuys from the APC fundraiser were donated directly to the chosen children’s charity. In total, $18,220 was raised from the tournament. $11,700 was raised from the entries and rebuys, $5,000 was donated by UltimateBet, and the winners of the tournament contributed an additional $1,520.
For eight years, UltimateBet has hosted land-based events in Aruba and every year, they have tried to give back to the community that has welcomed them so warmly. Fundraisers like this are one way that the site has been able to repay them for the hospitality.
“Poker players often complain about their bad luck but it’s important to remember that many people have it much, much worse. Charity tournaments like the fundraiser for the Children’s Home Imeldahof serve as a reminder of how fortunate many of us are and how rewarding it can be to help those who need that help the most,” wrote Gene Bromberg on the UltimateBet blog.