Poker Pro Gives $10,000 in Gifts to Needy Kids

Bernard Lee, New England’s top professional poker player and media personality, on Dec. 23 donated holiday packages to more than 50 children in the Milford area as part of The Full House Charity Program.

The program filters no less than $10,000 in goods each year to organizations across New England that focus on needy children. Chili’s Grill and Bar Restaurants and Eastern Poker Tour, a regional amateur poker league, are co-sponsors.

“I’m thrilled to bring the Full House Charity Program to a new location this year,” said Lee, who lives in Wayland, in a statement. ”My family and I were excited to meet new families and help them celebrate the holiday season. It gives me great joy to see the children smile when we hand them their packages. I’m so grateful my good fortune in the poker world allows me to give back to the community.”

Lee and his children met with Milford Youth Center families and handed out packages at the Marchegiano Club, 60 Meade St., Milford.

“We are excited Bernard could join us at the Milford Youth Center to celebrate the holiday season with some of our families. It is heartwarming to watch giving in action, and to know the children we serve each day are benefitting from the generosity of others,” said Sidney De Jesus, the center director.

Each family received gift certificates that will cover the cost of a family meal at Chili’s. Every child received a holiday package that includes winter clothing, books, Sports Illustrated for Kids magazines, board games, sports balls, art supplies, stuffed animals and toys. Many of the toys and games were donated by the Eastern Poker Tour and RunGoodGear poker pros. Lee received and honored specific requests from every child.

Lee’s charity program, launched in February 2011, provides a minimum of $10,000 worth of goods and fundraising annually to children-focused organizations in the New England area.

“This is the third year in a row that the Eastern Poker Tour has partnered with Bernard to make a positive impact on the lives of families,” EPT President Glenn McCrory said in the announcement. “Bernard is a long-time member of the EPT family as both a player and commentator, so it was natural for us to join him for such a great cause. We were also floored by our players generosity and excitement to help out a great local cause!”

Chili’s partners with nonprofits on Give Back Nights, when Chili’s shares 10 percent of the evening’s proceeds to the organization.

Lee has won more than $2 million and six titles on the tournament circuit. Earlier this year he joined the Blue Shark Optics Pro Team. Lee also is spokesman for specialty travel company Blaycation, and a RunGoodGear.com pro and a member of its World Series of Poker (WSOP) team.

A Harvard University and Babson College graduate, Lee worked as a senior marketing/new business development manager at a Massachusetts Fortune 500 company before finishing 13th — New England’s top finisher — in the 2005 WSOP. Recognized as “the voice of poker in New England” by Cardplayer.com, Lee is known worldwide as a poker media personality.