High Stakes
CAUSE & EVENT | JESSE WHITE CASINO NIGHT

It was all about flips and fund-raising at the Jesse White Texas Hold ’em Poker Tournament and Casino Night last Friday. More than 200 guests tried their hands at blackjack, poker and roulette at the Hard Rock Hotel with all proceeds benefitting the Jesse White Community Center, set to break ground at 412 W. Chicago later this summer. The Jesse White Tumbling Team performed, inviting veteran athletes Frank Thomas and Richard Dent to stand on the mat while acrobats flew high above their heads. White, Illinois’ longtime secretary of state who launched the Tumblers 52 years ago, said, “This program is my life’s work.” The event, which raised $80,000, was chaired by Matt Pritzker and co-hosted by former Miss Illinois Ashley Bond. The Sun-Times was the media sponsor of this event. MORE ONLINE: Full galleries at Suntimes.com