Granderson Headlines Celebrity Poker Tournament

Foundation Launch Event Set for January 3

(ROCHESTER, MN) The Northwoods League and the Battle Creek Bombers are excited to announce that the inaugural Northwoods League Foundation charity event is a Celebrity Poker Tournament set for Monday night, January 31, 2011 at Canterbury Park in Shakopee, MN. Former Mankato Masher and current New York Yankees centerfielder Curtis Granderson headlines a growing list of celebrities scheduled to participate.

The cost to play in the poker tournament is a $250 donation to the Northwoods League Foundation. Poker players can bring as many as three guests for $25 apiece. Drinks and hors d’oeuvres will be available. Cash prizes and other prizes will be awarded to the top finishers in the poker tournament and all poker players will have a chance to win door prizes. The celebrities will play for a charity of their choice. There will be a silent auction featuring sports memorabilia, game tickets, and experiences with Northwoods League and sports celebrities.

As a holiday special, the first ten people to sign up will receive an autographed baseball from Curtis Granderson. Sign up online at www.northwoodsleague.com.

The event will begin with a social hour from 6-7 p.m. followed by celebrity introductions. The poker tournament will start at 7:30. All guests and eliminated players will be able to watch the poker tournament or continue with the social gathering throughout the night.

Some of the other celebrities attending include: poker professional Jason Senti who won $1.3 million as the seventh place finisher in the 2010 World Series of Poker, Minnesota Twins batting coach Joe Vavra, former La Crosse Logger and winner of the ABC reality show “True Beauty” Taylor Bills, Detroit Tigers rookie infielder and former Northwoods League batting champion Danny Worth, and KFAN Radio host and voice of the Minnesota Vikings Paul Allen.

Additional celebrities will be announced in the weeks leading up to the event.

Owners and general managers from many of the teams in the Northwoods League will be in attendance.

What is the Northwoods League Foundation?
The Northwoods League Foundation was formed in early 2010 as a vehicle for the Northwoods League to further achieve the goals of its Mission Statement, which language concludes with “enrich the quality of life in its member communities.”

In addition to the many needs this not-for-profit foundation may address, one will be to view its member communities and look upon the programs they have in place with a harmonious goal of making them all finer places to live.

Much of the activity of the foundation will be to utilize the numerous alumni and members of the Northwoods League, capitalizing on their respective achievements on and off the field. Through various and creative fund raising methods, Northwoods League fans will have unique opportunities to interact with, participate with and help raise money with various alumni and members of the League.

The Foundation has a seven-member Board of Directors that will be in charge of leading the organization now and into the future as it embarks on this exciting new venture.