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Center for Law, Engagement, and Politics

Tag: Casino Night

Hunts-Vegas & HEARTS

Viva, Viva, Lost Wages!! Well, maybe those are not the exact words of the famous Elvis song, but as we all can imagine those words fit the exact same meaning of Las Vegas! Once again, the LEAP Ambassadors are back for the annual Casino Night at the HEARTS Veterans Museum. The theme for this year’s casino night was 50’s and 60’s retro, so the LEAP Ambassadors left their suits at home and came in retro costumes of varying authenticity.

Casino_Night_Group_5_Web

Of course, the boys displayed their stylish bowties.  It was a particularly poignant event for me.  It was my first event as a LEAP Ambassador last year, and it is my last event of this academic year, my last as an SHSU student.  THe roulette wheel, as it were, went full circle.  So I went all in on the costume.

The H.E.A.R.T.S Veterans Museum of Texas honors veterans both past and present. The museum serves as a place for former, present, and future veterans to all come together to reflect on and share their experiences serving the country. Just as important, the museum allows all people to see the price that our veterans and those serving today have paid for this country.  They do this through exhibits and programming, the latter led by the capable Letty Clark and when she asked us to volunteer for this event, we were more than happy to do so.

After a delicious meal, and a concert from Marilyn Monroe herself…

Casino_Night_Monroe_Singing_2_Web

…the gambling began and the crowd rushed to the games! The games included poker, black jack, bingo and many slot machines. All the LEAP Ambassadors were very busy with their tasks.

Alex and Karla sold tickets for the raffle.

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Bryan helped develop fabulous pictures to capture everyone’s great memories of the night.

Casino_Night_Karla_Kaitlyn_Brian_Web

Karla and Beatriz enjoyed their time helping at the Bingo Table.

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And the two most outgoing Ambassadors,  Megan and yours truly, used our charm to sell poker chips.

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Before the night ended, the Ambassadors were lucky enough to be given the opportunity to play some of the casino games. For some, it was their first time playing, but I was there to guide them through the process.

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We had some winners and some losers at the tables, but it was all fun!

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After the gambling had ceased, the main event had come: the raffle for prizes. Megan was the prize announcer and Alex chose all of the lucky winning tickets. Some of the major prizes included a one-hour massage at The Facemaker, a barbecue grill, a shotgun, and a trip to a resort and casino!

With some time spent with Marilyn Monroe, some time spent with one of our favorite community members Letty Clark, and some time spent together for a good cause, made it a fun, rewarding evening.

Casino_Night_Monroe_Group_Web

Of course, on a sadder note, I’ll be leaving my SHSU family, a prospect that made everyone sad (except, apparently, for Beatriz and Brian) …

Casino_Night_Austin_Departure_Web

But I’ll be back–for next year’s football game and some other random occasions, and LEAP will continue doing its usual combination of volunteerism, programming, pre-lawing, and travel excursions.  Until then…

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Author mikeyawnPosted on May 4, 2016Categories Civic Engagement, Fun, VolunteerTags Casino Night, HEARTS Museum, Jane Maddox, LEAP Center, Marilyn Monroe, SHSULeave a comment on Hunts-Vegas & HEARTS

Odds On Fun at the HEARTS Museum’s Casino Night

By Austin Campbell,

Today the Center for Law, Engagement, and Politics took a step back in time to the roaring 20’s, an era where the stakes were high and the wins were well worth the risks. Wearing our best 20’s attire, the LEAP team assisted the H.E.A.R.T.S Veterans Museum  with their fundraising event. There was a full casino, a Bonnie & Clyde getaway V8 Ford car, a live band, great food, and of course the magnificent Marilyn Monroe.  The event also featured many silent raffle drawings, as well as a major raffle drawing at the end of the event for an impressive grill.

Chapa, Perez, Campbell
                     Chapa, Perez, Campbell

The H.E.A.R.T.S Veterans Museum of Texas honors veterans both past and present. The museum serves as a place for former, present, and future veterans to all come together to reflect on and share their experiences serving the country. Just as important, the museum allows all people to see the price that our veterans and those serving today have paid for this country, and the Museum is an inspiration for those of all ages. Having the chance to talk to veterans and hear their experiences directly was amazing, and their true love of the USA was clear.

Of course, the night was about having an enjoyable evening, and that is what we did–all while volunteering!  The event started off with the draw-dropping musical stylings of a convincing Marilyn Monroe  (Jane Maddox).

Perez_Campbell_Monroe_Chapa_Web

It happened to be Rick McFarland’s lucky birthday, earning him the opportunity to be the object of Ms. Monroe’s happy birthday routine.

Monroe_Birthday_Web

Attendees had the chance to enjoy some delicious food offerings from donations of local businesses like McKenzie’s, and even a few sides from generous families themselves. After getting their fill of food and drink, everyone moved on to the casino games, such as bingo, blackjack, poker, and even slot machines.

Casino_Table_2_Web

The LEAP team did our part in the even as well. Starting with introductions at the door, to the officiating of the silent raffle, LEAP had a thumbprint over many endeavors. At the request of many of the veterans, we took part in some of the casino games, to which there were many laughs, smiles, and of course some sad faces. All in good fun (and not with real money)!

Casino_Table_3_Web

By the end of the night, after much work and play, it was great to see the smiles on the faces of people that support the H.E.A.R.T.S Veterans Museum. And it was fun to play the part of 20s gangsters while volunteering.

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As our school motto says “A measure of one’s life is in its service,” and LEAP strives to continue on that legacy with every event.

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Many thanks to Letty Clark for inviting us to volunteer and for the chance to join the fun once much of the work was done.

Author mikeyawnPosted on May 1, 2015Categories Civic Engagement, VolunteerTags Casino Night, HEARTS Museum, Jane Maddox, LEAP Center, Marilyn Monroe impersonator, SHSU, Volunteerism1 Comment on Odds On Fun at the HEARTS Museum’s Casino Night

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