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Casino Night draws a full house for children's charities
By David Alvey. Photos by Tony Valadez
Feb 3, 2010
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| Park Place Porsche GM Patrick Huston; Park Place Dealerships chairman Ken Schnitzer; Dallas Stars Foundation executive director Carla Rosenberg; Dallas Stars president Jeff Cogen; and Stars goalie Marty Turco |
What started a dozen years ago as an intimate party for fans to get up close with the Dallas Stars has grown into a sold-out event that raises hundreds of thousands of dollars every year for charity. More than 500 fans turned out January 19 for the 12th annual Park Place Dealerships - Dallas Stars Casino Night, raising more than $200,000 for the Dallas Stars Foundation in support of local children's charities.
"This is our marquee fund-raiser event of the year,” said Carla Rosenberg, executive director of the Dallas Stars Foundation. “It’s a great kick-off to 2010. And we had a terrific turn-out, the best to date.”
The event was held at Park Place Porsche on Lemmon Avenue, where the showrooms, client lounge and even the service drive were transformed into an upscale casino featuring black jack, Texas Hold ‘Em, craps and roulette with Stars players acting as dealers.
“It brings such a passionate group of people into our dealership," said Rob Sumner, marketing director for Park Place Dealerships. "Porsche owners are equally passionate about their cars. So it was a good fit. And it’s a great way for us to give back to the community."
The entire Stars team and front office were on hand, including Stars GM Joe Nieuwendyk and Hall of Famer Brett Hull, Trevor Daley, Jere Lehtinen, Mike Modano, Brenden Morrow, Steve Ott, Brad Richards, Marty Turco, and more.
In addition to the casino action, the showroom was filled with incredible sports and entertainment memorabilia for the auction, including signed NHL jerseys from stars such as Wayne Gretzky, Sidney Crosby and Mike Modano. Then there was memorabilia from the wide world of sports, including items from Peyton Manning, Tony Romo, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, David Beckham and Josh Hamilton.
One of the items that drew the most attention was a guitar signed by all the Rolling Stones, which sold for $2,750. Stars TV and radio announcers Ralph Strangis and Daryl ‘Razor’ Reaugh hosted the live auction with their usual humorous banter. Some popular experiences included a bowling outing for 15 with Stephane Robidas and Loui Eriksson; a skating party with the Stars Ice Girls; and dinner with Brad Richards and James Neal.
The highest-grossing auction item was a trip on the team plane to an away game, including hotel accommodations, game tickets and a spectacular road experience, for which two different bidders paid $12,500 each.
“It’s our best event for our fans to come out and be this close to the players,” concluded Ralph Strangis. “People can rub elbows and play cards with them, and it’s a real loose environment. There’s good food and there’s good people.”
Dinner was provided by Dallas Chop House with hors d'oeuvres and dessert by Wendy Krispin Catering.
Founded in 1987, Park Place Dealerships represents luxury brands in Texas and California including Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Lexus, smart, Volvo, Maserati, Bentley and Rolls-Royce. More info available at www.parkplacetexas.com.
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| Heath Strayhan, GM, Bentley Dallas; Dallas Stars center Mike Modano and Rob Sumner, marketing director, Park Place Dealerships |
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| Stars Toby Petersen with wife Alexa, Stars Brian Sutherby and Ashley Russell, Yahoo Sports |
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| Brenden Morrow signs a jersey |
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| Ice Girls |
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| Lori Waggoner and Shawne Horn of Children’s Medical Center with Brad Richards |
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| Brad Richards spins the wheel |
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| Park Place Lexus Grapevine GM Gary Venner with wife Kayla and Stars Trevor Daley |
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| Mike Modano with Dallas Stars president Jeff Cogen and Park Place Lexus president Jodan Case |
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| Marty Turco deals black jack |
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| Anne-Marie & Brenden Morrow |
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| Dallas Stars Karlis Skrastins, Jamie Benn and Jef Woywitka |
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| Jere & Jaana Lehtinen |
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| Amanda Olofsson and Tom Wandell |
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| Beth Guillot, Melissa Cain, Hall of Famer Brett Hull and Deborah Simmons |
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| Park Place Motorcars Ft. Worth GM George Johnson, Stars GM Joe Nieuwendyk and Tom Schneider |
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| Stars goalie Alex Auld deals black jack |
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| Play-by-Play announcer Ralph Strangis works the live auction |
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| Steve Ott signs an autograph for fans |
