A fun fifth fundraiser
Rotary clubs put on annual Yahtzee tournament
The fifth Rotary Yahtzee Tournament will take place Jan. 7 at the Adorni Center in Eureka.
Scott Pesch, president of the Rotary Club of Southwest Eureka, and Jeff Pauli, a past president of Old Town Rotary, are enthusiastic and experienced Yahtzee players and, since 2019, they’ve brought a new opportunity for good times and good deeds to their clubs and to legions of Humboldt County Yahtzee fans — tournament Yahtzee.
“This is a game that kids and adults play, that adults learned to play as kids,” said Pesch. “The sound of Yahtzee cups slamming down on kitchen tables has been a staple of family game nights since the 1940s. More than 50 million games are sold every year. People love to play Yahtzee and North Coasters are always eager to grab that opportunity to support a great local project — as we do every year. Our first two events, in 2019 and 2020 were sold-out, in-person competitions. The 2021 and 2022 Zoom tournaments kept our now-annual tradition going in a way that reflected the times. This year, once again, we are hosting an in-person event. It’s great to be back!”
Proceeds will provide funding for the Sorrel Leaf Healing Center and for other community projects supported by the two collaborating Rotary clubs.
“Sorrel Leaf will offer a comprehensive system of care for children and adolescents who are experiencing significant mental health challenges and crises,” said Pauli. “Our event will help fund a pavilion to be used for therapy.”
According to Pesch, following the sold-out events of 2019 and 2020 and the Zoom competitions of 2021 and 2022, organizers anticipate another sold-out event this year. Some tickets are still available and players wanting to be a part of the 50-table tournament can purchase tickets by using the pay button on Southwest Eureka Rotary’s website — swrotary.org. Guests are invited to call 707-8453459 for more information.
The evening kicks off at 6 p.m. with a taco bar dinner with meat choices, warm tortillas, rice, refried black beans, salsa and all the taco fixings. A no-host bar will feature margaritas, beer and wine.
The games will begin at 7 p.m.
“We know that most players will be getting their Yahtzee game on for love of the game and to support the Sorrel Leaf Healing Center but … prizes. There will be prizes!” said Pauli. “Prizes for individual play and team play, as well as a ‘Funnest Team’ prize.
This has been won in other years through creative costuming but, really the opportunities are wide open.”
First prize for Yahtzee excellence will be $500, second prize will be $250, third prize will be $100. Also, according to Pauli, there will be a trophy. “Five feet tall,” he said. “It makes a statement.”
Thirty-one Humboldt County businesses, organizations and individuals are sponsoring this year’s tournament.
“We couldn’t have this event without the generosity of our North Coast community — it has really stepped up to support the tournament and Sorrel Leaf Healing Center,” said Pauli.
The cost for individual play is $100. Guests must be 21 year of age or older to attend.
“We’ll have a great time,” said Pesch, “and it’ll be a terrific way to start the new year — friends, family, Yahtzee fun and good food for a very good cause.”