July 23, 2019 – The Jeff Conine Celebrity Poker Classic is a night of fun and philanthropy, with an opportunity for attendees to take home more than $35,000 in cash and prizes. Best of all, it will improve the lives of children and families coping with serious medical issues.
The 8th annual fundraiser – to be held Wednesday, August 7, 2019 at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino – benefits the Conine Clubhouse, a home-away-from-home where families of children under care at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital can stay for free. Hosted by former major league baseball player Jeff Conine and presented by Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, the event will feature celebrities playing alongside players of all skill levels for a first prize valued at more than $12,000. Other prizes include vacation and hotel packages and cash totaling more than $25,000. Live and silent auction entertainment and dining experiences, vacations, and unique sports items will also be part of the action.Taking place at the Hard Rock Live Event Center, the fun begins at 5:30 p.m. with a cocktail reception prior to the tournament’s start at 7:00 p.m. Guests will enjoy drinks, hors d’ oeuvres, music, and, when the poker starts, a chance to win cash and prizes. During the tournament, there will also be two $1,000 bonus payouts, the first going to the chip leader when registration closes and the second to the player who has the most re-entries.
Celebrities expected to participate include some of South Florida’s favorite retired athletes. Roberto Luongo, Mark Duper, OJ McDuffie, Errict Rhett, Roy Foster, Jim Jensen, Gaby Sanchez, and Tony Nathan, to name just a few.
A $300 donation to the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Foundation reserves a seat for poker and entry to the cocktail reception. Those not playing poker can purchase admission to the reception for $100. 
Proceeds benefit the Conine Clubhouse, which has provided free lodging to more than 12,000 Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Foundation – 2
families that have had a child hospitalized at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital. The 2018 Conine Poker event raised nearly $180,000 to underwrite expenses at the hotel-like facility. More than $1.2 million has been generated in the seven years the fundraiser has been held.
“Cindy and I stayed at the clubhouse when our son was younger and we know firsthand the
importance of being close to the hospital,” said Conine. “It provides all the amenities of a hotel but, more importantly, gives families a temporary place to call home when they need it most.”
The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino is located at 1 Seminole Way in Hollywood.
Player participation for poker is limited, with registration taking place at CONINEPOKERCLASSIC.ORG or at the event itself. Event sponsorship, which includes seats in the poker tournament and admission to the cocktail reception, is also available on the website. For more information, contact Craig Cohen at CrCohen@MHS.net or 954-265-7241.
Established in 1994, the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Foundation (www.jdchfoundation.org) raises funds to assist patients and their families and underwrite the costs of programs, facilities and equipment at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, the largest children’s hospital serving Broward, Palm Beach, and northern Miami-Dade counties.
