T

he Emerald Coast Foundation proudly hosted its 
25th annual Poker Run. The Poker Run Party was 
held at the Emerald Coast Convention Center on 
August 12, 2017, where guests enjoyed an all-

you-can-eat buffet, open bar, blackjack, poker, and a silent 
auction. The silent auction included trips, gift baskets, art, 
jewelry, kayaks, and other memorabilia. The grand prizes 
were a Ford F-150 donated by Hub City Ford, and a Harley 
Davidson Motorcycle donated by Emerald Coast Harley 
Davidson.

For the last 25 years, the Emerald Coast Poker Run has been 

making waves in Northwest Florida. Boat Week is a weeklong 
boating celebration on the Emerald Coast that rounds 

out with The Emerald Coast Poker Run. The Foundation 
puts forth such tremendous effort for the sole purpose of 
expanding its charitable reward and helping our most precious 
resource: the children of the community. The Emerald 
Coast Foundation supports children’s charities and youth 
organizations such as Children in Crisis, The Eleanor Johnson 
Youth Center, All Sports, and The Arc of the Emerald Coast.

The Emerald Coast Poker Run and Boat Week events have 

raised over $2 million to date for its cause. Boat Week events 
and activities have been designed for the participation and 
enjoyment of the local community and all of our area visitors. 
For 2017, over 50 sponsors contributed to the success of the 
25th annual Poker Run.

story & photos by 

Zhalman Harris

Patricia Robare & Emily Gregory

Octavia & Karan Valdiavia

Leah Casey, Bobby Tampa Kim Tampa, Kim Campobasso & Jeff Pira

Olivia Sullivan, Misty Joy, Bea Mcgowan

& Kalani Dempsey

25th Annual

POKER RUN PARTY

   VIP Destin at The Emerald Coast Convention Center

72    |    VIPDestinMagazine.com

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