Olympic equestrian medalist Margie Engle and Step By Step founder Liliane Stransky will host the All In For Charity Poker Tournament and Charity evening to raise funds to finish building an elementary school in Haiti. Along with the help of world class equestrians and supporters, the goal of the event held at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center at 14440 Pierson Road, Wellington, FL on January 29tåh, 2010 is to raise $200,000 and make dreams come true for children in Haiti.

Funds raised at the poker tournament and charity evening will go to finish the construction of the Tipa Tipa Elementary School in Lahaie, Haiti – the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, where clean water and classrooms are luxuries. Some of the world’s leading equestrian competitors, trainers, owners and supporters will join together for the Texas Hold ‘Em Poker Tournament and Charity Benefit that will be held in the corporate hospitality tent alongside the main arena from 6:30 p.m. to midnight. Auction item, tickets, and further information is available at www.stepbystepfoundation.com.

General admission to includes access to the event, casino tables including roulette, craps, three card poker, and blackjack, fine fare and delicious catering, an art auction, and a silent auction. The event’s highlight will be playing alongside the international equestrian stars who will be playing their best hand to win the top prizes and help raise funds for children in desperate need.

Engle, a United States Olympic show jumping medalist and ten time AGA Rider of the Year, will Chair the event and be doing the rounds of the tournament tables, giving players the chance to test their poker skills against the equestrian champion. “This event is a wonderful way to bring the equestrian community together for a very important cause – and to have a lot of fun at the same time,” said Engle. “I’ll be bringing my equestrian colleagues to the tables for some competition outside the arena!” she said.

“Step by Step Foundation has been working in Lahaie for several years,” stated Stransky. “Completing the construction of the Tipa Tipa Elementary School is our priority. Currently the children learn sitting outside on rocks, or wood, or in the heat or damp; under tarps or partially wooded huts. There is no access to running water, electricity or paved roads, and some children are forced to walk two hours each way to attend the nearest school. The opening of “Tipa Tipa,” which translates in French Creole as “step by step,” will mean that these youngsters will have a safe and secure school in their community. Parents will be able to participate in the education of their children, and the community will play an active role in the raising of their children. The people who live there lack access to safe water and health services,” she continued. “So we are expanding our programs to encompass those and other development projects.” This past fall Liliane and her daughters Daniela (14) and Samantha (21) gathered a group of youth from South Florida for a community mission with the Step by Step Foundation to Lahaie, Haiti. At the remote fishing village of Lahaie they provided educational supplies, clothing, uniforms, and personal water filters to the children of the elementary school.  

Liliane’s teenage daughter Daniela donates proceeds of her prize money earned during show jumping competitions to Step by Step Foundation, and encourages other young riders to do the same. “It is not hard to help,” explains the eighth grader. “Everyone can be of assistance in their own way. My passion, and hopefully my career, is riding horses. So I decided that is one way I can help.” Daniela, who attends the Country Day School in Miami, has been working with non-profit organizations since she was seven years old including Step by Step, JustWorld International, Operation Smile and the Chateaublond Therapeutic Riding Center. The young equestrian is hands on and when not riding, mentors children, helps run programs and tutors. Daniela’s goals are focused and clear – to continue to work with her mother and the Step by Step Foundation, become an Olympic Rider and….yes, a professional poker player! This is just one reason the family decided to make this winter’s benefit a poker tournament! The foundation is seeking sponsorships and in-kind donations as prizes and silent auction items for the event.

To contribute, and for more information about the event, please contact Kathy Andersen at kandersen@developmentconnect.com, or by phone at 786.423.2191. To enquire about press coverage, send a photographer to cover the event, or to set up an interview with the Stransky family about Step by Step Foundation, please email oncoursepr@yahoo.com or call 917.584.8385 and ask for Sydney Masters.