Back on September 13, the WPT Foundation partnered with Russell Westbrook’s Why Not? Foundation for the NBA star’s 4th Annual Poker Night, which raised funds for the Why Not? Foundation.
The event took place at Wynn Las Vegas, which will play host to this December's WPT World Championship. Alongside his wife Nina Westbrook, the 2016-2017 Most Valuable Player (MVP) runs the Why Not? Foundation, which is a nonprofit designed to create pathways of empowerment for underserved communities with a focus on education, workforce development programs, and mental health and wellness resources.
The affair attracted several well-known poker players including Jason Koon, Tom Marchese, Alan Keating, Brandon Steven, Adam Hendrix, Joey Ingram, and Dan Shak, as well as celebrities like Princess Love and fellow NBA All-Star Chris Paul. Likewise, the WPT family was well-represented by Adam Pliska, Matt Savage, Vince Van Patten, and Tony Dunst, who did emcee duties alongside Drea Renee.
Among the prizes given out at the final table included floor seats to a Denver Nuggets game, a signed jersey, and a meet-and-greet with Westbrook along with a private basketball lesson. While an exact figure is not yet known, organizers confirmed that the annual event has now generated over $1.5 million over the past four years with all proceeds supporting raising essential funds to support the foundation's mission of creating pathways of empowerment.
"We are grateful to our event partners at the World Poker Tour Foundation and all the amazing participants who came together to support our mission,” Amelia Williamson, Principal & Chief Strategist of the Why Not? Foundation told PokerNews. “Their generosity not only enables us to broaden the reach of Why Not? but also create new pathways of success and wellness for underserved communities in South Los Angeles. We look forward to growing this event in the years to come, expanding our reach, and making an even greater impact."
Check out this thread on the PokerNews X channel for more highlights from the charity event:
https://twitter.com/PokerNews/status/1834752427448582274
*Images courtesy of Why Not? Foundation & Enrique Malfavon.
