© Jerimiah B. Brown

Gambling for good

Full Moon hosts charity poker nights

by Vickie Elmer

posted 9/18/2009

The reborn Full Moon Restaurant and Saloon on Main Street may become a magnet for cash-strapped nonprofits, now that it's hosting charity poker nights. Texas Hold 'Em earned money for Huron High athletic boosters in August. Next in line is the Michigan Darfur Coalition. The nonprofits obtain the gambling license and provide volunteers in exchange for a share of tournament fees. A small slice of every pot goes to Royal Flush Management LLC, a company organized by Full Moon owner Andy Gulvezan and a couple of old friends from Dearborn. According to Royal Flush partner Ken Cione, charities should be able to take home $800 to $1,000 a night--and more if supporters gamble as well as volunteer. "This is the first time we've done anything like this," reflects Ginny Mitchell, vice-president and treasurer of the Darfur group. "We've done all different kinds of fund-raisers, dinners, wine tastings, auctions, rock and roll." They plan to use the funds to build a school or medical facility in Sudan.   

[Originally published in September, 2009.]