Las Vegas, Nevada (February 4, 2009) – Queens of Heart creator and founder Lisa Tenner has joined forces with “Ambassador of Poker” Mike Sexton, “First Lady of Poker” Linda Johnson, and noted tournament director, columnist, and poker instructor Jan Fisher, to create PokerGives.org, a nonprofit charitable organization.

“PokerGives.org will act as a charitable vehicle to collect and redistribute donations from card rooms, fundraisers, poker players, and special events,” noted Sexton.

“We believe our combined efforts will set new standards for charitable giving,” stated Fisher. “Many poker players want to give to charity and don’t know the best way to do so. PokerGives.org will make it easy for them. All they have to do is send a check to Poker Gives in care of the Nevada Community Foundation. The donations will be gathered and distributed to worthwhile charities.”

The charities already selected to receive funds from Poker Gives include Special Olympics, Sunflower Children, Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, American Cancer Society and Paralyzed Veterans of America.

“Poker players are a generous group,” commented Johnson. “There are so many people in need. If players and card rooms would pledge just one-percent of their winnings and/or annual profits, the poker community would help in a big way. Our goal at Poker Gives is to hold administrative costs to five-percent or less so that a maximum amount of money can get to the charities.”

When Ladies International Poker Series (LIPS) founder Lupe Soto heard about Poker Gives, she was thrilled to embrace the organization. „I admire the founders of Poker Gives, so much that, I jumped at the opportunity to be involved.”

Soto solicited Women in Poker Hall of Fame Board of Directors to approve PokerGives.org as the official charity for the (WiPHOF) Induction Celebration taking place on June 5th, at the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas. A portion of WiPHOF ticket sales, silent auction, and live auction proceeds will benefit PokerGives.Org.

Tenner, Queens of Hearts founder for teams of women participating annually for charity in the past three World Series of Poker, stated, “We are thrilled to be able to bring PokerGives.org to life with the support of our friends, colleagues and families. We know that one person can make a difference. We are on the forefront of cause-related marketing and in this case, it’s all for charity.”

For more information visit www.pokergives.org