Last year I made a conscious decision to really get active in helping the needy. Many of my poker friends and I decided that it was time to step up and donate our time and effort in addition to just writing a check to a charity.
We began collecting coats, socks, sweaters, and winter clothing a few weeks ago to give out to those less fortunate than us. We solicited our friends, neighbors, and our two different weekly poker meeting groups, the Wednesday Poker Discussion Group (WPDG) and the No-Limit Discussion Group (NLDG), to donate as much slightly used or new goods as possible.
The volume we amassed was amazing-enough volume to fill about 20 vans. At 6 a.m. Christmas morning, in the freezing cold, we met outside near the Las Vegas Mission and set up tables to distribute these donated items. I wish I had a video of us stomping our feet and waving our arms trying to keep warm in the early morning chill.
People started appearing from out of nowhere. We forgot about how miserably cold we were when we realized that these people live this way all the time. A few were barefoot, while many others wore clothes not nearly adequate to keep out the elements. We quickly went to work searching for the right sizes as we handed out towels, socks, toiletries, shoes, sweatshirts, granola bars, hats, coats, and even some toys for the children.
We handed out coffee, hot chocolate, and donuts and were inspired to realize that we were making a difference. The people we helped were very appreciative and were quick to say thank you and some even gave us hugs. There was no arguing or fighting over the "stuff." They weren't greedy. Although they were told they could take anything they wanted, they would only take one or two granola bars and one or two pairs of socks. They would leave their old coat "... in case someone else could use it" when they took a new one.
One of the women who joined us was Suzie McBaine, a member of the staff at the Orleans poker room. I watched her trying to help a man find a coat, something that would fit him and keep him warm. The one he was wearing was so tattered and dirty that anything would have been an improvement. He commented how nice her coat was and that is when the most awesome thing happened. Realizing that her coat would fit him, Suzie took it off and gave it to him. Understand that this was no back-of-the-closet coat ... this was the coat that Suzie wore everyday in the winter. She literally gave him the coat right off of her own back. Now that's selfless and kind. He grinned from ear to ear, thanked her, and walked proudly back into the morning sunrise likely never to be seen again by any of us. Not long after that, she gave another person the stocking cap she was wearing. She saw a need and fulfilled it. It was the true spirit of the holiday and the New Year. Thank you Suzie for showing me, reminding me, that people do care.
Poker players are the nuts and I like to believe that what goes around comes around. If it does, Suzie is in for a great year. Thanks to everyone who helped us and please join us when we do our charity events throughout the year. I've learned that other than in poker, it truly is better to give than to receive.
Moving along...
Jan Fisher has 30 years experience as a poker player, tournament director, strategist/columnist, co-founder of the Tournament Directors Association, Partner in Card Player Cruises, WPT Boot Camp instructor and statistician, and live studio announcer for the Professional Poker Tour. E-mail Jan at Jan@cardplayercruises.com.
