GBK Productions Hosts its Pre-ESPY Awards’ Gift Lounge and Celebrity Poker Tournament for Charity

GBK Productions – the luxury lifestyle gift lounge and special events company, honored the 2013 ESPY Awards’ Nominees and special guests athletes with its Pre-Awards Gift Lounge, and Celebrity Poker Tournament, hosted at the Andaz Hotel in Hollywood.

GBK, the recipient of multiple BizBash’s Award for “Best Gift Bag,” offered its exclusive list of invited celebrities, VIPs, and Media an opportunity to enjoy a luxurious environment with gifts, refreshments, poker tournament, charity fundraising, and music from DJ BabyChino– the world’s cutest and youngest DJ, while sipping on beverages by Chambord Premium Spirits. Chambord was premiering it’s new Chambord Vodka to raving reviews.

Poker Tournament for Charity

Adding a turn to this event, the invigorating brand incorporated a poker tournament in order to assist in raising proceeds for the charities of choice. With the help of participating sponsors and generous celebrity guests, 100% of the poker tournament proceeds were donated to charity.

Of course, Tim Phan, world-renowned professional poker player, won the tournament and took home a 3 night stay at the St. Regis Princeville, as well as an $8000 watch from Jason of Beverly Hills.

Second place winner was Andy Milonakis, who won a Technogel Mattress. Actor Mekhi Phifer got knocked out at the last minute, prior to placing with 10/J

in his hand. $12.000 was raised for the Model Citizen Fund, and Ike’s Love and Sandwiches gave a $1.000 donation in the name of Roger Cross to the Mama Sarah Obama Foundation for coming in 4th place.

As always, giving back to various charities has always proved to be the main focus of an event hosted by GBK. This event proved to follow ‘suit’, the charities were: The Giving Back Fund (GBF),  The Los Angeles Lakers Youth Foundation, The Mama Sarah Obama Foundation, and The Model Citizen Fund.

The Giving Back Fund (GBF) is a non-profit organization that prides itself on ‘helping those who help others.’ GBF manages charitable organizations, and assists philanthropic programs for athletes, entertainers, business entrepreneurs, and corporations.  Founded in 1997, GBF has made a huge impact by overseeing the distribution of funds to charitable grants in the U.S as well as other countries. Through scholarship, mentoring, medical, arts, and other philanthropic programs GBF has made the ‘impossible’ possible. For additional information please visit: www.givingback.org

The Los Angeles Lakers Youth Foundation is a non-profit organization with a high detailed focus on the use of sports to promote education, teamwork, and self-esteem among the Los Angeles youth. The Los Angeles Lakers Youth Foundation also assists non-profit organizations on a need based scale to organizations all over the Los AngelesCounty, and provides disaster relief in California and the United States. For additional information please visit: www.nba.com/lakers/community/foundation.html

The Mama Sarah Obama Foundation is a non-profit organization with a high focus to heighten the education, welfare, and well-being for the children in Kogelo village. The AIDS epidemic has left many children without parents in the sub-Sahara region of Africa. Throughout the past three decades, Mama Sarah has worked relentlessly to bring light to this urgent matter. Through her strong will and the dire need for assistance, paired with her own resources, Mama Sarah Obama foundation (MSOF) was formed in 2009. By profiding the correct education and welfare, these children will be able to achieve their goals in hopes of a better future. For additional information please visit: www.msof.org

The Model Citizen Fund is a non-profit organization that makes it possible for people to see a worthy cause and provide a solution. Individuals who participate are able to see an immediate cause and effect through their efforts. Model Citizen has built the platform that for every cause, individuals are able to assist underprivileged people world wide by giving a backpack with over 150 items that include food, health, and survival essentials to the homeless and disaster victims.

The items inside have been provided to help those in need and these tools in essence will allow them to rebuild their lives and easing the stride to move forward. For additional information please visit: www.modelcitizenfund.org

LA’s The Place was there to cover the event, where 2013 ESPY Awards Nominees and special guests received goods and services ranging from fashion and beauty products, to exotic travel destinations and the latest gourmet treats including:

Ike’s Love & Sandwiches provided sandwiches for the celebrity crowd that are aside from the rest! Their sandwiches are just as much of an individual as each and every customer. What makes them so spectacular is their ‘dirty secret sauce’ that is spread onto each sandwich and baked right before you. With a ‘fresh to order’ mentality, Ike’s Love & Sandwiches have been making a name for itself and quickly spreading worldwide. For additional information please visit: www.ilikeikesplace.com

Bringing the Cajun flavor made in the heart of Louisiana and adding some West Coast flavor, is Sky’s Gourmet Tacos! Sky’s Gourmet Tacos was a must try at the GBK Pre-Espy event. Where Latin meets Cajun, Sky’s Gourmet Tacos delivers an incomparable product that is sure to leave your taste buds asking for more. For additional information please visit: www.skysgourmettacos.com

This year’s lounge featured a variety of youthful, trend-setting products in the sports and athletic apparel categories such as:

SKLZ, a brand committed to elevating each individual and transforming them into an athlete by guiding and serving each and every individual to be their best with their very creative and unique sport and excercise items. SKLZ is based in San Diego, CA and delivers high performance products that can be found at major retail sporting good stores, as well as online. Attendees were gifted The Gold Flex warm-up and The SKLZ Pro Mini Hoop. For additional information, please visit: www.sklz.com

Talk about ‘man’s best friend’, Dazadi.com is an online supplier of sporting good and game room equipment. Offering a large selection of high quality items for your sporting needs, whether it is basketball, table tennis, pool/foosball and more, Dazadi.com has exactly what you are looking for. Dazadi.com gifted a $250 gift card to shop top brands in sports equipment, home court, home gym and game rooms. For additional information please visit: www.dazadi.com

JH Design Group, is a leading manufacturer of licensed logo jackets and apparel in honor of various professional sporting teams, corporate and consumer brands, movies, and cartoon characters. JH Design Group gifted NBA, NASCAR and MLB licensed jackets/hoodies. For additional information, please visit: www.jhdesigngroup.com

Technogel Sleeping  gifted their exclusive memory foam based pillows made with a unique patented gel layer, providing comfort and ergonomic support. Technogel Sleeping has a revolutionary mattress that harmonizes with your body, giving you greater comfort and support and ‘redefines sleeping’. Technogel Sleeping guarantees to have you wake up feeling well rested and invigorated. Technogel mattresses are LA’s The Place Top Pick for 2013 for best mattress! For additional information, please visit: www.technogelsleeping.com/us

Sparkling Hill Resort, a European-inspired wellness resort was a true highlight of the lounge. It is known as the first resort in the world to incorporate Swarovski crystal elements into every aspect of its design. Guests received a 5-night Couples Escape in a stunning penthouse suite, with access to a wide range of wellness treatments featured at the resort’s world-renowned Kurspa! For additional information, please visit: www.SparklingHill.com

Jason of Beverly Hills: Jewelry and accessories resumed their place as a must have at any GBK gifting lounge. Always catering to the diamond-loving trendsetters and the high fashion jewelry market was Jason of Beverly Hills, who gifted $700 gifts to its attendees. They feature many exquisite, unique designs, such as this 14K gold , diamond-encrusted bible, which includes every single printed word:

They are also very well-known for their popular watch design that utilize ‘floating diamonds’. Kim Kardashian gifted Kanye one. Guests can even design their own customized creations with this exclusive jeweler located in the heart of Beverly Hills. For additional information, please visit: www.jasonofbh.com

Show your pride and support for our military by sporting a handmade bracelet from Bands for Arms. This patriotic brand gifted handmade bracelets

which are all made from donated military uniforms from all military branches. Each one is original. With each bracelet, you will receive a small description of the service member who provided their uniform towards the bracelet. 50% of each bracelet sold supports many Military non-profit organizations.

Created by Nicanor Mendoza III, who is currenlty serving, he was inspired to do this when he lost his friend in battle in 2009, to honor military members and create that connection. For additional information, please visit: www.bandsforarms.com. Follow them on Twitter at @BandForArms

Wild Soul Sunglasses, is sunglasses with a special one-of-a-kind touch. Each purchase from Wild Soul Sunglasses, a portion of the proceeds will go to a good cause. Causes range from: health, society, and environment-at check out you can choose your cause-this adds the ‘soul’ into each and every pair sold. Wild Soul Sunglasses gifted beautiful Acetate Sunglasses named after untamed wild animals. Great original designs.For additional information, please visit: www.thewildsoul.com

Miracle Details, the VIP Auto Detailing company, where “The Miracle is in the Details”  had each attendee feeling like royalty. Each guest will be able to get their car detailed by Miracle Details. They come to you! Delivering the utmost standards in convenience, excellence, and professionalism each treatment given was valued at $350.00. The perfect ‘finishing’ touch to this celebratory event! For additional information, please visit: www.miracledetails.com

The Marena Group gifted Athletics8™, the most comfortable, high-performance athletic compression apparel on the market. Athletics 8 is built on the values to: put faith first, seek extreme satisfaction, steward faithfully, take personal responsibility, innovate, care, learn, and most importantly-have fun. Through these values and superb products, Athletics 8 has been able to deliver: performance, strength, while providing confidence to its clients. For additional information, please visit: www.marenagroup.com

Nutrition53 is an upscale nutrition company that delivers energy supplements, weight loss shakes, natural sleep aids and multivitamins. “Performance isn’t just a passion, it’s a way of life,” says Nutrition53s’ founder Bill Romanowski. Nutrition53 gifted Lean1 and Vegan1 to all in attendance. For additional information, please visit: www.nutrition53.com

Negris Lebrum Clothing Co. gifted their beautifully styled wireless MP3 headphones. The company was founded by a French Creole woman named Negris and a handsome man named Sam LeBrum. The two continue to beautifully express their love and craft through fashion and high end products. For additional information, please visit: www.negrislebrum.com

iLinks manufactures and sells smart golf clubs which allow the user to view the flight of their ball on a smart phone app. iLink was demonstrating their new app which utilizes a special golf club that has sensors in the head. When you take a swing with this club, it will relays details of your swing to your smartphone. For more information on iLinks, visit: www.iLinks.com

MHL is a great new technology that allows you to work from any location, play mobile games with no lag, and stream TV or movies in HD. MHL gifted a docking station which connects your smartphone to your TV, along with a controller, allowing you to view movies, play games, read emails, tweet, whatever you want to do from your smartphone, on your TV screen. The MHL will charge your phone at the same time. For additional information, please visit: https://meetmhl.com

Fly Watches is a new brand of fun, colorful, and interchangeable LED watches perfect for those who love to have fun and just in time for summer time. With neon colors being ‘in’ and the best thing about Fly Watches is they are available in 10 different colors that have interchangeable bands for numerous combinations. Fly Watches gifted a fun and colorful interchangeable LED watch. For additional information, please visit: www.fly-watches.com

Delivering the same quality as always, Fruit of the Loom gifted t-shirts from two of their new lines: the Big & Tall Collection and the BEST collection. Fruit of the Loom is an American company that has delivered prime, reliable products to its customers throughout the years. For additional information please visit: www.fruit.com

Bare Fruit 100% natural Apple Chips were a tasty treat at the event. Eating fruit just got easier! One package equals one apple. With great flavors, and new ones coming, the athletes and celebrities will be able to get an apple a day on them, as they will get Bare Fruit delivered to their homes once a month for 6 months. For more information go to: www.barefruitssnacks.com

Attendees Included: Trey Burke (Utah Jazz- Point Guard Nominated for ESPY 2013 Best Male College Athlete), Kyla Ross (2012 Olympic Gold Medalist- Gymnastics Team Nominated for ESPY 2013 Best Team: US Women’s Gymnastics), James Ihedigbo (Baltimore Ravens -Team Nominated for ESPY 2013 Best Team), Aldon Smith (San Francisco 49ers), Cortez Allen (Pittsburgh Steelers) Datone Jones (Green Bay Packers); DeMarre Carroll (Utah Jazz), David Anders (ABC’s “Once Upon A Time”), Eric Shanteau (2012 Olympic Gold Medalist -Men’s Swimming (4x100m Medley), Gilbert Arenas (Dallas Mavericks), Heather McDonald (E!’s “Chelsea Lately” & “After Lately”), Kim Glass (US Women’s Volleyball Player), Lindsey Berg (Women’s Volleyball 3 time Olympian with 2 Silver Medals), Marcedes Lewis (Jacksonville Jaguars), McKinley Freeman (VH1’s “Hit the Floor”), Mekhi Phifer (Actor), Sean Patrick Flanery (Showtime’s Dexter), Steven Bauer (Showtime’s “Ray Donovan”), Terrell Owens (American Football Wide Receiver), Terrell Thomas (New York Giants), and many more!

Always a good time to be had at the GBK events, as they bring the best of the best and it always ties back to multiple charity causes. ‘Gifting with Heart’, the team over at GBK produced another successful event and a celebrity favorite! To find out how you can get involved, go to www.gbkproductions.com

Event Hashtag: #GBKpreESPYawards   ~~  Twitter & Instagram: @GBK_Productions

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