It’s a bit of the boardwalk in the Old Pueblo, courtesy of Angel Charity for Children.
“We are bringing Atlantic City to the desert, and it is all for a good cause. We like to have a theme to entertain our guests and keep our Big Deal Poker Party fresh and fun,” said Kellie Terhune Neely, chair of the local nonprofit that has raised more than $31 million for children’s charities in Southern Arizona.
The 250 volunteer Angels are all-in for the 21st Annual Party and Texas Hold’em Tournament, which begins at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 13, at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort, 7000 N. Resort Drive.
“It will be an unforgettable evening with mouthwatering cuisine, signature drinks, thrilling entertainment, high-stakes game play with fabulous prizes and a champagne diamond raffle with once-in-a-lifetime trips,” said Terhune Neely. “People can mingle and gamble and there is something for everyone.”
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The fundraising is equally high-stakes: The Angels have pledged more than $1.3 million in 2024 to Children’s Museum Tucson and other local nonprofits. The pledge includes $1 million to create the Angel Charity for Children Education Center at Children’s Museum Tucson in a new building at 130 S. Scott Ave. across the street from the main museum. The project contributes to the revitalization of a historic building downtown while simultaneously helping to triple programming space for the museum, according to Terhune Neely.
“This is the largest single individual grant in the 42-year history of our organization,” said Terhune Neely. “The Angel Charity for Children Education Center will expand capacity for art and STEM programs and allow for more field trips with Title 9 schools and after-school programs. It will increase accessibility for an additional 40,000 children in the first year alone, and we are so excited about that.”
Funds raised will also help revitalize six additional children’s nonprofits, including Arizona Children’s Association; Cinderella’s Closet at the Junior League of Tucson; Fox Tucson Theatre Foundation; TMC Foundation; Tucson Community Tennis Program; and Wheel Fun.
“This is a really an exciting range of projects and programs that touch children in need, and we are getting ready to go through the process again,” said Terhune Neely. “Our 2025 Halo For Hire Grant Orientation is October 15 (RSVP at https://www.angelcharity.org/apply-for-funding/) and we are seeking next year’s nonprofit recipients.”
The Angels have an ambitious goal for next year; they are gearing up to pledge up to $1.55 million.
“It is a little stretch, and we are so grateful to the generous donors, partners and the very giving Tucson community for helping us to reach our goals every year,” Terhune Neely said.
