Ante Up for Natural Stone on Nov. 6
If you regret not being a part of last year’s inaugural All in for Natural Stone Poker Tournament, you’re in luck. The second annual event is scheduled for Nov. 6, and organizers are still looking for poker players of all skill levels.
Jonathan Zanger, an enthusiastic participant in charity poker tournaments, former Natural Stone Institute president, and current Natural Stone Foundation board member, proposed the idea last year as a way to raise money for the foundation.
Ultimately, approximately 100 poker players from both within and outside the industry, raised more than $40,000, which was split 75-25 between the NSF and the Gary Sinise Foundation.
“This year we’re looking to double our success,” says Zanger. “We’d like to raise more than $80,000 this year.”
Charity poker tournaments to raise money are nothing new, but post-COVID, with the advent of online gatherings, it’s possible for anyone anywhere to participate, and organizers hope that’s exactly what will happen Nov. 6.
“Last year, when people got a chance to join and play, they enjoyed it very much, and they want to get involved again this year,’ he says.
This year’s gold sponsors are a mix of new and familiar names, including Dal-Tile, Merola Tile, Camarata Masonry Systems, Dee Brown Inc., and Jantile.
Because of gambling laws, cash can’t be awarded to the winners. Last year’s prizes were primarily gift cards – some $11,000 was awarded – and Great Falls, Mont.-based Malisani Inc., is again offering the first-place prize of a $2,500 gift card.
However, organizers have reached out to some of the stone events around the world and gotten a positive response. Topping the list is the Izmir International Natural Stone Fair, which takes place in mid-April in Turkey.
“They have generously given us airfare, lodging and entry to the Izmir Stone Fair for one winner in the industry,” says Zanger.
Details are still being worked out for similar offers from the organizers of Verona, Italy-based Marmomac and Sao Paulo-based Marmomac Brazil. The trip to Verona would involve tickets for two to a performance at the Arena di Verona for the opera and theatre season.
Zanger stresses that those prizes are reserved for people in the industry. He adds that the Gary Sinise Foundation is also providing some swag bags of Gary Sinise memorabilia and T-shirts for some prize winners.
The important thing is to get signed up, either through your company or as an individual. That can be done either through contacting Nick Dorsey of the Natural Stone Institute at nick@naturalstoneinstitute.org, or through www.allinforstone@gmail.com.