Help Ante Up For Africa Raise $10,000 Online Before 2010 WSOP Main Event

Online Campaign Gives Players One More Way at the WSOP To Make a Difference for Africans In Need

Ante Up For Africa, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping Africans in need founded in 2006 by Don Cheadle, Annie Duke and Norman Epstein, has launched an online fundraising campaign with the goal of raising $10,000 before the start of the 2010 World Series of Poker Main Event on July 5, 2010. The goal amount equals the cost of a buy-in to the world’s most prestigious and richest poker tournament.

“$10,000 is enough to change one person’s life at the World Series of Poker. But in Africa, it can change thousands of lives,” said Annie Duke. “With the poker world focused on the WSOP right now, we’re hoping poker players will once again step up and contribute, and even put aside at least the money towards one satellite buy-in, and instead donate it online to Ante Up For Africa, where the money can provide much-needed assistance to those in need in Africa.”

The least expensive single table satellite at the Rio All-Suites Hotel & Casino, where the WSOP is held, is $100. That same amount can send a Darfuri refugee to school for a year and contribute to necessary basic school supplies, such as books and chalk boards. $1,000 can help outfit a school of more than 2,000 children with sports equipment, and $10,000 can provide 2,000 Darfuri refugees with books, uniforms, and school supplies for one year.

The online campaign marks the first time players can donate via the AUFA website, Anteupforafrica.org/donate/. Players can also contribute by playing the 2010 Ante Up For Africa charity poker tournament on July 3. The annual event will once again attract stars of screen and felt for a little friendly competition in an event that has raised millions for Ante Up For Africa and their efforts in Darfur, Sudan and other areas where Africans are in need.”

“We realize not everyone has the bankroll to ante up the $5000 to play our tournament on July 3 but many still want to contribute and make a difference. Now they can do so easily online,” said Duke. “Whether it’s $10, $100 or $1000, every donation will help us reach our goal by the time they say ‘Shuffle Up and Deal’ on July 5 and make a huge difference to those who have already suffered too much.”

“Poker players have always stepped up for Ante Up For Africa and contributed generously, and Norman, Don and I are confident they will do so once again,” said Duke.

Ante Up For Africa has raised more than $3 million through poker tournaments for their partner organizations Refugees International, Enough Project and Darfur Peace and Development Organization.