Upping the ante

The Second Annual Coach Mirich Texas Hold ‘em Tournament hosted more than 60 guests at the Pine Haven Community Center Saturday, with 34 players filling the gaming tables.

This year’s more than $14,700 has been earmarked to buy a new “Jaws of Life” for the Pine Haven Volunteer Fire Department. The tool the department has their eye on is Battery operated and, depending on the set, will cost anywhere between $12,000 and $20,000, according to former fire chief Don Lancaster.

Last year’s event contributed around $4700 to the Volunteer Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and the event organizers more than met their goal of doubling that amount this year before the night even began with an anonymous bequest of $3300 and another from Powder River Energy Corporation for $3000, along with many other donations throughout the night and over recent weeks totaling $8300.

Pine Haven Councilwoman and event coordinator Karla Brandenburg expressed her satisfaction with the event, “Not only did we raise an amazing amount of money, but everyone, poker players or not, had a great time. Next year, we’ll be putting together a committee to run this as it gets bigger and bigger every year. It’ll be tough to exceed this year’s donations, but that will certainly be our goal.”