Poker Players Alliance donates $25K to troops

WASHINGTON D.C. -- The Poker Players Alliance (PPA) presented a check for $25,000 to the USO of Metropolitan Washington and raised an additional $10,000 through a charity poker tournament held
Poker Players Alliance  last night at the Regency Hyatt in Washington, D.C.. The funds will support USO-Metro's programs and services for wounded warriors and their families receiving treatment at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, the National Naval Medical Center and area Warrior Transition Units.

USO-Metro and the PPA hosted thirty wounded warriors who played alongside professional poker players including Annie Duke, Andy Bloch, Jan Fisher, Linda Johnson, Greg Raymer, Howard Lederer and Dennis Phillips. Several members of Congress including Xavier Becerra (CA), Shelley Berkley (NV), Martin Heinrich (NM), Pete King (NY), Ed Perlmutter (CO), Tom Perriello (VA) and Lynn A. Westmoreland (GA) also participated in the evening's festivities. Army SGT Bret Chevalier was the night's big winner, taking home a trip to fabulous Las Vegas.

"The Poker Players Alliance is proud to support USO-Metro and all they do for recovering servicemen and women and their families," said John Pappas, Executive Director of the PPA. "It was our honor to host the wounded warriors, and we are grateful to the members of Congress and professional players who came out to the tournament to show their support."

Elaine Rogers, President of USO-Metro added, "The Poker Players Alliance provided our wounded warriors with a fantastic evening and the opportunity to play poker alongside several pros. We are thankful to the PPA for their generous donation and a great event."

The USO of Metropolitan Washington supports service members and their families who are recovering and receiving treatment at area military hospitals through various programs including celebrity handshake tours, therapeutic programs, Texas hold em' tournaments, emergency housing and patient excursions.