Like last year, casino chips (for charity) started flowing well before the scheduled opening of the 2nd Annual Sonoran Resorts Las Vegas Night for DIF Charity, and the staff and volunteers were ready for the early arrivals. However, except for the fun and friendly atmosphere, that’s about where the similarity to last year’s event ended. 
This year, attendance continued to mount throughout the early evening until the new location of Las Vegas Night in the second floor convention facility of the Sonoran Sky Resort was filled to standing room only. With more space, more decorations, more black jack tables, more Texas Hold ‘em tournament tables and improved layout, by the official opening time, it seemed the veterans from last year had already found their place at a black jack table, after sharing a sample of Puerto Peñasco’s own Tequila Peñasco of their choice from Charlie Muratore, located at the casino entrance right across from the registration table and whose friendly smile accompanied every shot he poured.
Music, photographers, local leaders and dignitaries, casino chips, libations, laughter, prizes and drawings flowed throughout the evening. And there were some beautiful 
prizes this year, which were distributed a bit differently from last. Instead of one long auction period for most of the prizes like last year, there were three separate raffle drawings with approximately a quarter of the donated prizes given away at each. Then towards the end of the evening, as chips were finding their way into the hands of the big winners, the auction was opened.
With hundreds of people still going strong at the black jack tables, others gathered at the prize 
display as volunteer Randy Van Hulle, owner of Ace Casino Rentals, whose professional expertise has been invaluable to the success of both Sonoran Resorts Las Vegas Night events, opened the bidding for the most valuable prizes donated this year. Among those were rounds of golf for four people at Laguna del Mar and the Jack Nicklaus courses at The Mayan Resort; two 
absolutely stunning shell art creations by internationally acclaimed artist Julio G. Meza Leon; original artwork by other famous painters and, bringing in the largest bid of over $5,000 was a 5.25 ct Amethyst 
donated by D&J Rare Gems. The golf outings brought the next highest bids along with Julio’s shell art creations, all bringing just below $5,000 in chips each.
With nearly a hundred prizes donated by more than 60 different local businesses and individuals, it is impossible to name them all in this blog. However, everyone who attended Las Vegas Night on the 25th of May received a souvenir black carry bag with the Sonoran Resorts logo, inside of which is a welcome letter and a complete list of all the generous donors including the prize(s) they donated. Please refer to that list often and remember to frequent their places of business anytime you might need a product or service 
they offer.
The DIF charity team is still busy counting chips and tickets (and recuperating from the weeks of work put into assisting Jim Ringquist and the Sonoran Resorts Sales Team leading up to the big night) to determine the total amount of funds raised this year. Judging from the increased attendance this year we hope to maintain our recognized position as one of DIF’s biggest fundraisers of the year as well as Puerto Peñasco’s newest and most popular event.
Look for our blog announcing the presentation the funds raised through your generous participation in this year’s 2nd Annual Sonoran Resorts Las Vegas Night for DIF Charity!
This blog is powered by www.sonoranresorts.mx, Jim Ringquist, Director of Sales and Marketing.