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MARLBOROUGH -- A local human services agency is hoping the latest craze in charity fund-raisers pays off, literally.
Greater Marlboro Programs Inc., an organization providing services to the area's developmentally disabled population, is holding its first ever Texas Hold'em poker fund-raiser. The event begins at 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 24, at the Marlborough Holiday Inn on Lakeside Avenue, with a free tutorial starting at 6 p.m.
"We've had fund-raisers in the past, but this is our first try at something like this," said Jim Karami, director of social and recreational programs for GMPI.
GMPI is not the only nonprofit to steer away from the common benefit events and instead bank on the popularity of poker tournaments. The nationwide Texas Hold'em phenomenon hit in 2004 when ESPN turned poker playing into one of the best-watched games on TV. Locally, the Marlborough American Youth Football league and the Baypath Humane Society in Hopkinton have held poker tournaments to raise funds.
"It's low risk and high reward, hopefully," Karami said.
The donation to enter is $125 and the organization hopes to get at least 100 players. Fifty percent of the money will be split among the top 10 winners, some of the percentage will go to taxes and 35 percent will go directly to services provided by GMPI, Karami said.
"We hope to clear $4,000 to $5,000," he said.
The proceeds will go toward services such as employment and medical transportation, social and recreational opportunities, family support services and creating new programs for the residents, Karami said.
GMPI tries to hold several fund-raisers throughout the year to supplement their state funding,"Karami said.
"We survive on donations, money allocated from the state and fund raising," he said. "A lot of our funding sources have decreased over time due to the economy. Fund raising is an important part of this organization just like other nonprofits."
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