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Guns N’ Buns casino night successfully raises funds for gym
Emily Plihal
Express staff
The poker tables were hot on March 19 at the Falher Regional Recreation Complex, as about 105 people gathered to help raise money for the local gym.
Guns N’ Buns Fitness Centre volunteers organized a casino night to help raise funds for some major improvements to the gym, located upstairs at the complex.
“All the money raised throughout the night is being used to improve the community gym,” says volunteer Doreen Brulotte. “We have a beautiful facility in this town, many visitors and newcomers says it is better than many they’ve visited. A lot of people in this area have never been there to see themselves.”
Each ticket to the event included $40,000 worth of “fun money”, and the opportunity to be a contestant on the mock “Deal or No Deal” game show which featured the community’s own “Howie”, Chris Maisonneuve.
The casino featured seven playing tables that included poker, blackjack , roulette, and slot machines.
“At one point we even had to start up a game on a normal table because there were so many people playing,” says Brulotte. “The committee was very happy with the turnout.”
Brulotte explains as the crowd increased they had to recruit a few dealers. She says the committee is very thankful for all the help they received from individuals in the community.
“Everyone had a great time, including the committee members,” says Brulotte. “We brought a little bit of Vegas to Falher and people liked it.”
Brulotte says that it was such a crowd pleaser that the committee is considering having a Deal or No Deal game during the Honey Festival, which is coming up in June.
Approximately $7,500 was raised throughout the evening.
“We ended up playing two segments of Deal or No Deal,” says Brulotte. “The first winner won $500 from the banker, which turned out not to be a good deal because her case held $750. The second winner took an offer of $195, a great deal considering their case only held $30.”
Brulotte said the crowd had a lot of fun helping out the contestants with advice, but they (the contestants) had to make the final decision.
“The crowd was also really enjoying the silent auction and the many door prizes they took home. We really appreciate all the door prizes that were donated by local businesses.”
She says like any other fundraiser, the volunteers who helped are priceless. She says they agreed to help out in all areas, with food, the bar, as dealers, waiters, and “Howie’s Cuties”.
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Chris Maisonneuve acted as the Casino Night’s “Howie”.
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“Howie's Ladies”
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