Local Scout Lends A Helping Hand To BA Senior Center’s Poker Group

When the BA Senior Center’s poker group returns to playing in-person, participants will not only enjoy playing poker again, they will also have the opportunity to use two new tables, thanks to Alex Hanafin’s Eagle Scout project.

Meichelle Culhane, the poker group’s leader, invited Alex to the Center early last year. “I was pretty surprised to see so many people in one room playing poker,” he remembered. “The excitement and happiness in the room reminded me of a Boy Scout meeting. I wanted to see what I could do to ensure the group could continue to enjoy this activity in the future with even more people.”

Alex took notes and measurements while at the Center, viewed YouTube videos and created blueprints to design the tables. “Lowes donated the wood, and funding for the other supplies was donated by family and friends,” Alex said.

Although he admitted that his plans changed as he assembled the tables, he was happy with the end result: two felt-covered tables surrounded by padding made in three sections for ease of use and storage. The tables are held together with magnets.

Fellow scouts helped him with the project. Alex presented the poker group with their tables in January 2021, and Culhane and others in the poker group were thrilled.

“The tables should work out great,” she said. “Alex stayed under budget and donated the remainder of his fundraising money to the Center.” “I could see the difference I could make in the lives of local seniors,” said Alex. “It was a unique project to design and build, but knowing I was making a positive impact means the most to me.”

The Center’s poker players have continued to hone their poker skills by playing online during COVID. Culhane encouraged and guided the group in this endeavor.

“The group is still playing online up to three times a day,” she noted. “They play no limit Texas hold’em, five-card draw and Omaha. Members chat with each other in the chat box, check on each other and tease and encourage good play. The group is staying connected and feel that meeting online has helped each of them tremendously during this time at home. One member will be 90 in April. She logs on every night and plays, too. Another logs on while wintering in Mexico, and another couple plays while at the lake. There are no obstacles too big for this group.”
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For more information about playing online poker with the group, email Culhane at meichellec@ yahoo.com.

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