Ante Up for Africa to Support Refugees International at Star-Studded Charity Poker...

Ante Up for Africa to Support Refugees International at Star-Studded Charity
Poker Tournament

WASHINGTON, June 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Ante Up for Africa will support
Refugees International's efforts for the displaced people of Darfur and all of
Sudan as part of its charity celebrity poker tournament in Las Vegas on July
2, 2009. The event is hosted by WSOP Bracelet Winner and Celebrity Apprentice
Star Annie Duke and Academy Award nominee Don Cheadle, with Ben Affleck, Matt
Damon, and Brad Garrett planning to attend. Professional poker players and
Refugees International supporters Howard Lederer, Andy Bloch, and Phil
Hellmuth will also be participating.

"We are grateful to Ante Up For Africa for shining a spotlight on the ongoing
crisis in Darfur and generating such significant support for the people who
have been forced from their homes by this conflict," said Ken Bacon, President
of Refugees International. "An event like this makes it possible for Refugees
International to continue to demand action from the world's leaders to provide
basic assistance and protection to refugees in Sudan and around the world."

Ante Up for Africa is a non-profit organization that raises funds for the
survivors of the humanitarian crisis in Darfur, Sudan and to support activism
dedicated to resolving this crisis. Its successful charity poker event has
raised over $2 million since it began in 2006. Beneficiaries of this year's
tournament include Refugees International, the Enough Project and others. ESPN
will televise the 2009 Ante Up For Africa Celebrity Charity Poker Tournament
on August 11.

"It is important to me to show people that it is possible to make a difference
for the people of Darfur," said Annie Duke, one of the founders of Ante Up for
Africa. "I am thrilled that this event has become such a success and that it
will generate support for efforts by Refugees International, the Enough
Project and others to end the crisis in Darfur."

In 2009, Annie Duke played for Refugees International on NBC's hit reality
show "Celebrity Apprentice." As a contestant on the show, she raised $700,000
for Refugees International.

"We have been privileged to work with Annie Duke and her friends and to
witness the incredible generosity of the professional poker community,"
continued Bacon. "We can't thank Annie enough for her commitment to refugees
around the world and for her work for peace and justice."

Refugees International is a Washington, D.C.-based organization that advocates
for lifesaving assistance and protection for displaced people and promotes
solutions to displacement crises. The organization does not accept any
government or UN funding to strengthen the independence of their advocacy. For
more information, go to www.refugeesinternational.org.

Ante Up For Africa is a non-profit organization founded in 2006 by Don
Cheadle, Annie Duke and Norman Epstein dedicated to raising money and
awareness for Africans in need. For more information about Ante Up For Africa,
please visit www.anteupforafrica.org.

SOURCE Refugees International

Megan Fowler of Refugees International, +1-202-540-7014, megan@refintl.org