POKER RUN 2024
ABOUT US
Worldwide, poker runs have become the on-sea adventure of choice for boaters and boating enthusiasts alike. The Virgin Islands, however, has become unmatched in presenting the exciting event thanks to our topography: many islands, islets and cays within close sailing distance of each other and established businesses on each land mass to accommodate the mass influx of players and partiers at the selected stops. Coupled with our natural beauty, the waters that range from tranquil to spirited, the many boat owners resident and the enthusiasm shown by neighbouring islands like the U.S.V.I, Anguilla, St. Martin/St. Maarten and others, the Virgin Islands’ poker run is undoubtedly the best in the region.
The storms of 2017 and the pandemic interrupted the well-established poker run and since then, the call for the activity to return has been tremendous. Our multi-point survey revealed that six in 10 people had been to a poker run and six in 10 people either desired to return to one soonest or are likely to return to the event when it returns.
The wait is over as the One Virgin Islands Poker Run returns 1-3 July, 2022. The NEW poker run will quickly become the favourite of the Virgin Islands. This poker run GUARANTEES the fun and excitement of the traditional poker run but doubles the amounts you win (over $15,000 in cash and prizes) and leads with a cause as each hand sold ensures hundreds of dollars will be reserved for community impact in two specific areas: education and health. Our founder Dr. Michael A. Turnbull couples his boating enthusiasm and community devotion to create an unmatched platform for corporate social responsibility.
Participants will travel over a predetermined route and, at each stop on the way, draw a playing card until they return to Paradise Club Lounge Bar & Restaurant in Cane Garden Bay, Tortola. At the end of the journey, participants holding the best five-card poker hand are crowned as the Poker Run victors.
Proceeds from the One Virgin Islands Poker Run will be used to develop and outfit a smart technology based classroom in a public primary school.
One VI Poker Run is the charitable arm of Black Point Entertainment Group. The non-profit organisation was created and is directed by Dr. Michael A. Turnbull.
Our Founder’s Story
I started the One Virgin Islands Poker Run to amalgamate two of my passions: helping people and my community (which I have done as a Minister of Religion and Psychologist) and enjoying my passion for boating which was handed down from my grandfather.
Since the passing of Hurricane Irma, to create a sense of normalcy, my friends and I in Boat Drama Boating Club, resurrected the August Festival Boat Races, however, that was not enough for me. I always wanted to see how my friends and I, along with others, could make a difference in our community using the thing that comes natural to us, navigating the sea. Hence the creation of One Virgin Islands Poker Run.
I have one aim which is to provide better educational opportunities to children throughout the territory by outfitting each of the public primary schools with a smart technology based classroom.
philanthropic
purpose
Black Point Entertainment Group will aim to outfit each public primary school in the Virgin Islands, with a smart technology based classroom, that facilitates learning in an academic, social and psychological manner. This will start with the public schools and special education learning environments, such as the Autism Centre. As the organisation grows, and the needs expand, with critical impact from our corporate partners, we will expand our reach and impact.
The first schools to receive this donation will be the Ivan Dawson Primary School and the Enid Scatliffe Pre-Primary School. The smart technology based classrooms will be outfitted with Google Chromebooks, a 65” Smart TV, a SmartBoard and free high-speed internet for 1 year. The purpose of the smart technology based classrooms will be to ensure, in case of a pandemic or other such event, teachers will be able to, from a central location, continue teaching students. The smart classrooms will also provide an opportunity to underprivileged students who do not have the resources at home to conduct research for school by providing access to computers and high speed internet access.
SPONSORSHIP
After event expenditure (handled by our certified accountant), an assessment will be conducted of our feasibility to impact the targeted schools, namely the Ivan Dawson Primary School and the Enid Scatliffe Pre-Primary School. The procurement of equipment, materials and installation will be done in conjunction with the school and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth Affairs and Sports.
The One Virgin Islands Poker Run will ensure the purchasing of equipment and outfitting of the classrooms are done and then presented officially.
Sponsors and other representatives will present the classroom together.
