Our friends went all in to make the 11th annual Mercy Home Poker Night fundraiser a tremendous success this year. We were thrilled to welcome 300 card sharks, high rollers, novices, and spectators to The Forum @ 110 inside the Bank of America Tower. The event added some much-needed Las Vegas sizzle to a cool and rainy January evening. And as the proceeds supported our work at Mercy Home, the biggest winners, as always, were our young people.

Our guests enjoyed a mouthwatering array of food catered by Gibson’s, the former home of past Mercy Home Poker Nights, as well as casino tables, raffles, and the main event, a Texas Hold ’em tournament. An incredible $25,000 of prizes were on the line this year, including the grand prize—a seat at the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas.

Before the first cards were dealt in the Texas Hold ‘Em tournament, Mercy Home President & CEO Fr. Scott Donahue showed a video about Mercy Home alum Sidney Lee, who built a successful career in the aerospace field. Fr. Scott thanked guests for helping more young people like Sidney reach for the stars in their own ways. 

In particular, he thanked the many sponsors of the event, including presenting sponsor Ullico, and the members of our boards who were instrumental in the evening’s success. They included Gold Coast Bank President & CEO Peter Argianis, whom Fr. Scott called “The Godfather of Poker Night.” Argianis proposed the idea for a Texas Hold ‘Em themed fundraiser more than 11 years ago based on the increasing popularity of tournament-style poker.

This year’s event echoed the success of last year’s Poker Night with another sold-out crowd.

“The fact that we were able to hold another sold out event so soon after the Lux Gala, a record-breaking event, is a testament to our supporters’ commitment to the Home,” said Jim Marrese, Mercy Home’s director of strategic initiatives and business development, said. “The energy was fantastic. It was a great night with great conversations.”

Poker players vied for incredible prizes that included Chicago Bulls tickets, a Chicago staycation, a 75-inch 4K TV, Chicago Air & Water Show experience, golf threesome, and the grand prize for the evening—a seat at the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas, valued at $10,000!

The funds raised at this event, including ticket sales, sponsor sales, tournament re-buys, raffle ticket sales, and other donations, will make a positive impact on the support we provide our boys and girls at Mercy Home.

In addition to raising funds, special events like Poker Night also bring the opportunity to introduce new friends to the Home and connect them with ways to support our work. Our event host committee was especially instrumental in bringing friends to join this mid-winter night out on the town.

Thanks to everyone who made this night a success, including our sponsors.