Bodog Salutes the Troops
'Bodog Salutes the Troops' Raises Awareness and Funds for Fisher House Foundation During Weekend of Fun in Hawaii
Oahu, Hawaii (July 25, 2005) - Bodog.net provided the home base and 110,000 troops - and a good number of celebrities - came through the door.
"Bodog Salutes the Troops", a two-day charity event (July 22-23, 2005) to benefit Fisher House Foundation, was an overwhelming success, according to participants, performers and attendees. For many of the men and women in the U.S. Military, the event provided them with the chance to touch American territory for the first time in months or years.
"We are incredibly grateful to Bodog for their compassion and generosity," said James Weiskoff, Vice President of Fisher House Foundation, which annually provides housing for 8,500 military families in need.
Bodog.net, a web site that educates users on how to play poker, sponsored the event that allowed the troops to revel while on respite from their duties afar. The two days in Oahu featured poker tournaments, celebrity appearances, and performances by comedians and musicians.
"This weekend exceeded all our expectations," said Calvin Ayre, Founder of Bodog. "Bodog Salutes the Troops was designed to raise awareness for Fisher House Foundation and provide entertainment for the troops, and judging by the smiles on their faces and the tremendous support from all involved, the events were a great success."
One of the highlights for the troops was the concert and comedy show highlighted by Snoop Dogg. The rapper pumped up the more than 8,000 military members and their families with a lengthy performance that kept the audience on its feet.
"It's a beautiful feeling to be appreciated and come out and give the troops something to smile about and something to dance to," said Snoop Dogg. "I'm down to do it again whenever, however , forever, all the time."
Also performing was BodogMusic artist Bif Naked. The comic relief was provided by Colin Quinn, Paul Rodriguez and Wanda Sykes, and featured an appearance by local Hawaii celebrity, Dog the Bounty Hunter. During the concert, Ayre presented Fisher House with a charitable donation from Bodog.net.
The celebrity events brought together the men and women of the Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Army based at Hickam Air Force Base, Schofield Barracks, Pearl Harbor, and Kaneohe Marine Corps Base. Many of the military personnel are awaiting or returning from deployment in the Middle East. The emotions ran high as those troops coming back to Hawaii reconnected with their families in tearful celebration of their union on home soil. The spectacle of seeing men and women breaking down with their families, then relieving stress during the course of the weekend by enjoying the entertainment and activities was heart-rendering for many. Some celebrities even bowed to the members of the military.
"Just to spend an hour with the men and women that defend this country and to be in Hawaii playing cards, that's what was so special," said Carson Daly ("Last Call with Carson Daly"), who opened the event.
The weekend kicked off with an inter-service poker tournament overseen by renowned poker tournament director Matt Savage. Military finalists played alongside celebrities, professional poker players and Bodog players at Camp Bodog, located at the Kahala Mandarin Oriental resort. The No Limit Texas Hold 'Em Tournament was won by actress and first-time tournament player Estella Warren ("The Cooler," "Planet of the Apes"), who blazed through the 90-player field, knocking out the two pro players along the way and taking home the grand prize trophy and a monetary donation made in her name to the Army's morale welfare department.
"I am in complete shock," said Warren. "I thought I would be one of the first players knocked out, and the next thing you know I'm being handed a trophy. Needless to say, I'm considering making a career change."
The final table also featured Shannon Elizabeth ("American Pie"), Jorge Garcia ("Lost"), poker pro Josh Arieh, four servicemen and Tim Johnson, who won his trip to Hawaii through an online Bodog tournament. Sgt. 1st Class Shane Woods of the Army was the runnerup, taking home the second-place prize - after receiving a hug from Warren.
"This is heaven," said Woods. "I am so stoked, this was a chance of a lifetime and I don't think it will seem real until tomorrow."
Other tournament participants included Rob Mariano and Amber Brkich ("Survivor," "The Amazing Race 7"); Dulè Hill ("The West Wing"); Peter Berg (Director, "Friday Night Lights," "The Rundown"); Joshua Malina ("The West Wing); Kelli Williams ("The Practice"); Quinn ("Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn," "SNL"); Rodriguez ("The Original Latin Kings of Comedy"); Sykes ("Monster-in-Law," "Wanda Does It"); poker pro David Williams; as well as 14 Bodog.net players and more than 60 U.S. Troops.
