Mike Sexton officially donates $500,000 to charity

After winning the 2006 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Tournament of Champions, Mike Sexton said he would donate half of his winnings to charity.

He made good on that promise Friday night at the official WSOP party.


Mike Sexton earned $1 million with his Tournament of Champions win and awarded $100,000 each to the Special Olympics, the Buoniconti Fund, the Paralyzed Veterans of America, the Wounded Warrior Project, and Children Incorporated.


"It was fantastic that the charities sent representatives to the WSOP official party," Sexton said. "I hope that the proceeds of my win help the amazing work they do."

The Special Olympics is an international non-profit organization dedicated to providing year-round sports training and athletic competition for more people with intellectual disabilities. They help 2.25 million people in more than 150 countries.

The Buoniconti Fund is dedicated to helping cure paralysis, while the Paralyzed Veterans of America is a congressionally chartered veteran's service organization founded to help veterans of the armed forces who experienced spinal cord injury or dysfunction.

The Wounded Warrior Project helps families of soldiers wounded or killed in battle, and Children Incorporated provides food and school supplies for underprivileged children around the world. Children Incorporated is also the charity Barry Greenstein primarily donates money to.

According to a press release, Sexton has said the poker world should make more charitable donations. He pushes pros and businesses to make substantial contributions and has suggested that major poker tournaments should donate a percentage of tournament money to charity.

"It's an honor to have Mike Sexton as part of the PartyPoker.com team," said Warren Lush, PartyPoker.com spokesman. "He leads by example, and when he wins, a lot of other people win too."

courtesy of Sarah Polson

News Added: 01 August, 2006

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