Cathy Hughes, Gary Clark, Jim Handley, Marie Johns, Bob Sweeney, Larry Washington, Marcus Johnson Put the "Fun in Fundraising" at Viva La Havana Casino Night

Area socialites gather for a Casino Night fundraiser to benefit underserved youth in the Washington, DC area

Washington, DC (PRWEB) November 6, 2005 -- On November 12th, 2005, the Joy of Sports Foundation (JSF) will host its 4th Annual Fall Fundraiser, Viva La Havana Casino Night - the Foundation's largest fundraiser of the year - at the Almas Temple in Washington, D.C. from 9:00 p.m. - 1:30 a.m. Tickets are $80 (general admission) and $120 (V.I.P.).

On November 12th, the elegant ballroom of the Almas Temple will be transformed into a Havana-style Casino. The night will be filled with casino gaming (Blackjack, Roulette, and Craps,etc.), a silent auction, live entertainment, festive food, open bar and many exciting prizes. Jim Handley of NBC4 will be the host for the evening. Celebrity gamblers include: Gary Clark (former Redskins player and the owner of South Beach Restaurant in Bethesda), Mayoral Candidate Marie Johns (former CEO of Verizon), business Icon Cathy Hughes (Founder of RadioOne), Larry Washington (Sports League) and Bob Sweeney (Greater Washington Sports Alliance), Jazz recording artist Marcus Johnson (CEO of Three Keys Music), and the list goes on. Event Sponsors include: Sureclick, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, BET, Cultura, Verizon Wireless, and Nickelodeon

In keeping with this year's Havana theme, enjoy music from the sultry Latin sounds of the Verny Varela Project. Silent auction items include: an in -home personal chef, signed athletic paraphernalia, personal fitness training, spa packages, gift certificates, jewelry, etc. Estimated attendance for this year's event is expected to exceed 500 attendees which includes a who's who of area professionals committed to making a difference in the lives of our youth.

The event is being hosted in an effort to raise funds for Joy of Sports programming and to create a greater community awareness of the organization. JSF is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to inspire at-risk children to grow healthy in body, mind, and spirit by teaching them critical life success skills through sports and education. More than 30,000 children have already benefited from our uniquely effective tennis, soccer, and physical play programs.

Last year's event raised over $65,000 for the organization and its programs, and was attended by over 400 guests. Corporate Sponsors from last year's event included Verizon Wireless, Independence Air, Baker & McKenzie, Merrill Lynch, Disney, RE MAX, and Charlie Palmer Steak.

JSF's mission is to inspire at-risk children to grow healthy in body, mind, and spirit by teaching them critical life success skills through sports and education. Utilizing a variety of sport-based programs designed to appeal to different age groups and to reach the broadest audience possible, JSF directly serves thousands of at-risk children in the Washington, DC metropolitan area every year. We are honored that our programs have been recognized as models by the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the United States Tennis Association. Additionally, the White House has recognized JSF as a Point of Light in appreciation of our service to at-risk children. For more on JSF and/or to purchase tickets, please visit http://www.joyofsports.org.

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