Westfield Lions’ Poker for Sight raises $24K for local charities

Event awards $25K in prizes; B.J. Andrews wins $10K top prize

By JEFF LARRISON
Westfield Lions Club

The Westfield Lions recently completed their 36^th “Poker for Sight” ® Texas Hold ‘Em tournament and it produced big winners – counting players and the charities that received donations at the event.

The semi-annual tournament pays out over $25,000 in prize money, including $10,000 to the winner, and this Spring’s event generated approximately $24,000 for the Lions’ charitable work. Also, during the tournament the Lions present “Big Checks” before each of the qualifying sessions and championship session to local charities.

B.J. Andrews won the championship, earning the $10,000 top prize and winner’s leather jacket with a commanding chip lead at the end of the six-hour final round.

Anthony Tursi finished second, receiving $4,000.

Third- and fourth-place finishers tied with identical chip counts – an event first – and split the combined payout, earning $1,750 each.

“This event continues to grow because of the incredible support from our players and the community,” Tournament Director Mike Birk said. “Every dollar raised helps us support organizations that make a real difference in people’s lives.”

The club presented $1,500 donations to:

• Indiana Diabetes Youth Camp
• Third Phase Homeless Shelter
• Hoosier Veterans and Families
• Open Doors Food Pantry

Each organization provides critical support to individuals and families in need, reflecting the Lions Club motto, “We Serve.”

During the tournament the Lions also presented a $500 check to the Indy Edge Beep Baseball Team. The Edge team representatives attend all the Lions’ tournaments and conduct silent auctions during the tournament featuring donated prizes.

The Lions are so proud to partner with the Edge to help their visually impaired players enjoy the game of baseball. The Edge won the Beep Baseball World Series in 2023 and 2024 and came in second place in 2025!

Since Helen Keller gave the Lions the nickname “Knights of the Blind” at the 1926 International Lions Convention, Lions have made it a priority to support vision-related charities, projects, and organizations like the Edge.

The Lions began holding the semi-annual tournaments in 2007 and have only missed two of them over the years (due to COVID-19). The tournament is recognized as one of the best in the Midwest and consistently draws over 250 players over the two-day tournament. Profits from the tournaments allow the Lions to make impactful donations to Westfield’s schools and students, as well as to numerous other charities throughout the year.

The founder of the tournament, Lion Don Russel, along with Tournament Directors Lions Brian Abraham and Mike Birk, have developed and refined the tournament so that the vast majority of the people that play are repeat players.

The next tournament is scheduled for November 2026. More information is available at LionsPoker.org.

About the Westfield Lions Club
The Westfield Lions Club is part of Lions Clubs International, a global service organization dedicated to improving communities through volunteer service and charitable giving, with a strong focus on vision-related initiatives. If you are interested in becoming a Lion and making a difference in our community, go to WestfieldLions.org.