Stars players ante up for children

Dallas Stars center Brad Richards; Amy Weidner, Director of Corporate Relations and Cause Marketing, Children’s Medical Center Dallas; and Bentley Dallas general manager Heath Strayhan

Park Place Dealerships recently hosted the Brad Richards Poker Stars tournament to help fund the expansion of the cancer center at Children’s Medical Center Dallas. Most of the Dallas Stars current team and several former players, including Texas Tornado assistant coach Craig Ludwig and NHL Hall of Famer Brett Hull, along with several hundred fans turned out in support of the fundraiser.

“I am excited to host this event for my foundation,” said Richards. “I have always tried to be very active in the community wherever I have been, and I am definitely going to do the same here in Dallas, where the fans have been great to me.”

The event sprawled across the three luxury showrooms of Park Place Maserati, Bentley Dallas and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars on Lemmon Avenue. Transformed into an upscale casino featuring a Texas Hold ‘Em tournament, all three showrooms featured incredible sports and entertainment memorabilia for a silent auction, including signed items from Michael Jackson, Pink Floyd, the Eagles, Muhammad Ali, and a massive frame holding autographed photos of every American president from Richard Nixon to Barack Obama.

Children’s Medical Center Dallas is one of the nation’s top pediatric hospitals and home to one of the largest pediatric hematology-oncology programs in the country. Children’s Medical Center has undertaken an ambitious $18.7 million renovation and expansion of their Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders.

Through the generosity of many individuals and organizations, Children’s had secured $12 million in contributions. If the hospital is successful in raising the remaining $4.7 million by December 31, 2010, the J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation will provide the final $2 million needed to complete funding for the entire project.

Richards, currently in his fourth season with the Stars and his 10th in the NHL, has a long history of supporting pediatric hospitals and kids with cancer. Earlier this year, he announced a $500,000 donation to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in his hometown of Prince Edward Island, Canada.

Founded in 1987 by Ken Schnitzer, Park Place Dealerships represents luxury brands including Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, smart, Porsche, Jaguar, Volvo, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, McLaren, Bugatti and Maserati. More information is available at www.parkplacetexas.com.

Stars players Adam Burish, Jamie Benn, Mike Ribeiro, Karlis Skrastins and Loui Eriksson

Craig Ludwig, Bentley Dallas GM Heath Strayhan and NHL Hall of Famer Brett Hull

Amy Weidner, Director of Corporate Relations and Cause Marketing; Cristy Ecton, outreach manager, Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders; and Olivia Munger, pediatric oncology dietitian, all Children’s Medical Center Dallas

Garrett Fey, Ryan Morrow and Levi Fey

Stacey Constantinos and Laura Royle

Sara Cockburn with American Idol finalist and Dallas Stars national anthem singer Celena Rae and Lora Farris, executive director, Dallas Stars Foundation