TUSTIN, Calif. — About 75 operators filled an upstairs room in Tustin’s quaint Old Towne sector with chips on the tables and cards in their hands for the Greater California Livery Association’s first annual Texas Hold’Em Poker Tournament Fundraiser.

Attendees enjoyed beer on tap and Mexican food in the dining area before getting down to business at the six poker tables set up in the main hall, which was lit up by smiles, laughter and the occasional friendly smack-talk. “Abe” from Master’s Limousine in Los Angeles won the tournament and took home a 50-inch flat screen TV that was donated by Rod Rave, executive vice president of Empire CLS in Los Angeles.

“The response was great and it went really well,” said GCLA Program Chair and Orange County Region Director Kevin Illingworth of Classique Worldwide Transportation. “Everyone had a great time.”

The event raised about $8,000 and allowed the GCLA to sponsor two kids for a summer camp. The sponsorship was done through the Pythias Foundation, which helps troubled kids go to a camp they couldn’t normally afford. The rest of the money went to the GCLA lobbyist fund to help fight bad regulations and solve the problems California operators are facing at the state level.

In addition to the tournament, the GCLA held a silent auction with prizes such as an iPad 2, enterpriseGPS tracking unit, LCT Magazine’s Forms for Success and Chauffeur Training Program, nights on the town at various locales, and tickets to sporting events.

Sponsors included the Knights of Pythias, Transpo Insurance, enterpriseGPS, Gateway Worldwide, Tiffany Limousines, Music Express, Krystal Infinity, Pure Luxury Transportation, South Bay Ford, Limo Anywhere, Symes Cadillac of Pasadena, and Classique Worldwide Transportation.

There has not yet been a date set for the GCLA’s Second Annual Texas Hold ‘Em Poker Tournament, but it should be around the same time next year. Please check the GCLA Calendar of Events for updates.

—    Michael Campos, LCT assistant editor