Boxes of pizza, bottles of beer and brightly colored chips decorated AKHIA on Thursday, December 3 during its charity poker game benefiting the Cleveland and Akron Food Banks. The event, which raised $500, was AKHIA’s third challenge of 2009, following the Physical Challenge in March and the Cornhole Tournament in July. The events have raised a total of more than $3,000 in 2009.

 

Ten players donated a $25 buy-in fee for a seat at the poker table. Mike Jones, director of business development at Great Lakes Integrated, came out on top, winning a $25 gift card to MELT Bar & Grilled and two passes to the Cleveland Botanical Gardens.

 

“I was lucky enough (and believe me, it was pure luck), to have won the game with a fairly anti-climatic hand,” Jones said. “Aside from being well-organized and fun, AKHIA events provide a nice venue to meet with other Cleveland professionals in a relaxed setting. I’ll be back to retain my title at the next AKHIA event!”

 

A raffle was also held to raise additional funds with prizes including a gift basket from Thirsty Dog Brewing Company, gift basket from L’Oreal, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar package, Dirt Devil Gator Series vacuum and Wolfcreek Winery/Cleveland Botanical Gardens package. Raffle and game donations will be combined with AKHIA’s annual holiday donation, which will also be given to the Food Banks this year.

 

“In keeping with AKHIA tradition to donate to a non-profit during the holidays, we’ll be giving to the Cleveland and Akron Food Banks as they work to feed families in need,” said Jan Gusich, president. “A special thanks to everyone who participated in AKHIA Challenges this year and supported our efforts to give back to our community.”

 

About AKHIA
Founded in 1996, AKHIA, Public Relations and Marketing Communications has offices in Hudson, Ohio and Atlanta, Georgia. The 24-person organization was founded on a philosophy of message integrity and best in class account service. Today, that philosophy remains in the form of the agency’s dedication to strategic execution for its 30 clients spanning a wide range of industries in the business-to-business, service and consumer sectors.