Dennis Quaid Hosting Card Tournament For Charity

Film star Dennis Quaid hosts a charity weekend in Austin Texas benefiting Any Baby Can that was kicked off with a star-studded Texas Hold'em tournament.

The Dennis Quaid Charity Weekend has gotten underway in Austin, Texas. It started this evening with a celebrity Texas Hold ‘Em tournament.

Local anchor woman from CBS Channel 42, Jennie Blankenship, is among the card players and said it doesn't matter that she just learned how to play because local children are the real winners in tonight's games.

“The little red hen got up early and said today would be a perfect day to bake some bread,” Dennis Quaid read to the children.

To command the attention of a room full of two-year-olds is no easy task, but as Quaid reads to toddlers at Any Baby Can, it's apparent Quaid has a way with kids, both on the screen and off the screen.

Any Baby Can is devoted to giving the sickest, poorest, and youngest in our community a good start in life. Any Baby Can is one of four children's organizations benefiting from the Dennis Quaid Charity Weekend.

“It’s a real vital service,” Quaid said. “And they do so much with so little over there, getting everybody up and running and giving kids who need a helping hand and giving them a good start in life.”

The Talavera family of Austin knows that all too well. Any Baby Can provided physical and speech therapy to their daughter Anna Lisa, who suffers from cerebral palsy and mental retardation.

“Anything we can do to help them, because they've helped us,” parent Melissa Talavera said. “You know, they do so much for the community and especially special needs children and we really, really appreciate it.”

And by the look of excitement on her face, Anna Lisa was appreciative of Quaid’s visit.

“What he's doing is awesome,” parent Leigh Talavera said. “What he's doing is showing his love to these kids, and a lot of these kids, they need it.”

Dennis Quaid is not the only celebrity who will be playing poker in Austin tonight. Among the celebrities that will attend this evenings event are stars like Quaid himself, Luke Wilson and Greg Kinnear.

If you are interested in helping out with Any Baby Can, visit their website at http://www.abcaus.org/Supporters.asp.

News Added: 04 May, 2006

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