Furniture retailers, manufacturers and suppliers attending the Las Vegas Market are invited to a Texas Hold’em Tournament to benefit Walk Now for Autism Speaks. Autism Speaks is the nation’s largest Autism advocacy organization. Doug Krinsky, parent of a child with Autism and Sales Manager for the Restonic Mattress Company, is co-hosting a tournament at Binion’s Poker Tournament Room on Tuesday, September 15, at 7:00 pm.
The entry fee is $125, registration begins at 6 PM, players must be 21 to enter and all the rules of the tournament will be explained that evening.
“Autism spectrum disorders are diagnosed in one in 150 children in the United States, affecting four times as many boys as girls. My son is one of these children,” said Krinsky. “My family is grateful for the efforts of Autism Speaks and the support within our industry to raise funds, awareness and resources for Autism.” Additional hosts include Randy Coconis, grandparent of a child with Autism and owner of Coconis Furniture in Zanesville, Ohio; Stuart Carlitz, parent of a child with Autism and owner of Eclipse Sleep Products of New Jersey in New Brunswick; and Joseph Amato, relative of a child with Autism and owner of Mattress Matters in Cleveland. Binion’s and R&A Marketing have also helped coordinate the tournament.
Home furnishings professionals may pre-register (entry fee will be paid September 15 at Binion’s) for the tournament at www.ramarketing.com/walk-now-for-autism-speaks/. To donate online if you can’t play in the tournament and want to donate to Doug’s walk team – Michael’s team, visit www.walknowforautism.org/columbus and search for “Doug Krinsky.” Donations may also be mailed to Autism Speaks, Attention: Kim Neiderst, 1060 State Road, 2nd Floor, Princeton, NJ 08540. Contact Doug Krinsky at (614)554-0802 or yogi1125@aol.com to sponsor the event.
All sponsorships and donations, as well as $50 from each entry will go to support Autism Speaks, whose mission is to increase awareness about the growing Autism epidemic and raise funds for research, family services and advocacy in local communities and nationwide. Autism is a complex brain disorder that inhibits a person's ability to communicate and develop social relationships, and is often accompanied by extreme behavioral challenges. The diagnosis of Autism has increased tenfold in the last decade. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have called Autism a national public health crisis whose cause and cure remain unknown.
“This event will give all of us in the industry the opportunity to give back and have fun at the same time”, said Krinsky. “It is devastating to see the impact this disability has on families”, he added. “There is hope with new treatments, therapies and the research that is being done right now”. “ We are optimistic that some day in the near future we can find the cause of Autism, and prevent it.”
Autism Speaks is dedicated to increasing awareness of Autism spectrum disorders, to funding research into the causes, prevention and treatments for Autism, and to advocating for the needs of individuals with Autism and their families. It was founded in February 2005 by Suzanne and Bob Wright, the grandparents of a child with Autism.
Bob Wright is a Senior Advisor at Lee Equity Partners and served as Vice Chairman for General Electric, and Chief Executive Officer of NBC and NBC Universal for more than twenty years. Wright also serves on the board of directors of the Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation, RAND Corporation and Mission Product, LLC. To learn more about Autism Speaks, please visit www.autismspeaks.org.