Case Study: The Ed Asner Celebrity Poker Tournament Goes Virtual
Legendary Emmy®-winning actor Ed Asner presented the 8th Annual Ed Asner & Friends Celebrity Poker Tournament and more than 250 guests played in a very unique presentation of ‘Live Virtual Poker’ featuring over 50 celebrities. Participants included Tom Hanks, Kim Cattrall, Ben Affleck, Anna Paquin, Don Cheadle, Rosanna Arquette, Jack Black, Howie Mandel, Darius Rucker, Rosie O’Donnell, Rob Schneider and many more!
They joined together on behalf of The Ed Asner Family Center dedicated to helping ‘differently-abled’ individuals with autism, developmental delays and other special needs. This exciting event, completed with celebrity moments, expert poker hosts and lots of other surprises, will streamed via social media with an exciting and star-studded simulcast.
Matt Asner, President & CEO of The Ed Asner Family Center, adds, “We are proud to be bringing something fun and special into homes across the globe. With the tournament going virtual we took something that has been a local Los Angeles staple and made it a global event. To spread the word of our programs at TEAFC, most of which are offered free to the public, makes this extra special.”
Show Director Dwight Kennedy said, “You’ll feel like you’re right there with all of the poker action, celebrities and fun!”
In addition to the Celebrity Poker Tournament, guests enjoyed a virtual Red Carpet, a premier Silent Auction and a chance to shop at “Ed’s Poker Stuff!,” the official tournament online store featuring hats, shirts, jerseys and more.
Poker prizes were awarded for the top three winners, as well as the players at the last table. Non-poker players joined in to watch the poker tournament and participate in the Silent Auction. All celebrities involved signed a special tournament jersey that was auctioned.
The virtual poker tournament raised over $100,000. The Ed Asner Family Center is a nonprofit, co-founded by Navah Paskowitz-Asner and Matthew Asner, whose mission is to help those with special needs and their families seeking wholeness in all facets of life. The Ed Asner Family Center not only caters to the needs of the special individual, but aims to embrace the complete family, helping them meet the challenges they face with grace and support. The Center offers arts and career advancement programs and virtual programs after school and on the weekends as well as counseling, telehealth and mindfulness classes.
