BELLEAIR BEACH — When Irena Nolasco learned last year that her friend, Devin Pappas, was looking for ideas to help raise money for her Raising Relief Foundation charitable organization, she already had one in mind.

“My passion is poker,” Nolasco, owner of Stafanec’s South barber shop in Belleair Bluffs and the Olde Time barber shop in Largo, said recently from her Bluffs shop.

“So, I thought that organizing a fun casino night for a great cause could be a win-win for everyone.”

As it turned out, Nolasco’s prediction was a royal flush.

The inaugural All-In for Raising Relief Foundation Poker Tournament, held Feb. 25 at the Belleair Bluffs Community Center, was a sold-out collaboration between Nolasco, Pappas, and many members of the local business community, raising more than $10,000 for the foundation’s mission to benefit local nonprofits.

In addition to the money raised, several attendees, including Tampa Bay Buccaneers legend Mike Alstott, said they had a great time and believed communities should host more fundraising events all year round.

“I think this is an awesome event,” the former Bucs fullback said after engaging in some spirited action at his Mike Alstott Family Foundation-sponsored table that included Belleair Police Chief Rick Doyle and 87-year-old Seminole resident Sandy Bass.

“It’s a great time and donating and raising money for charity while having fun is what it’s all about.”

Indeed, having fun was the overriding theme of the evening, as locals typically seen hard at work, including Belleair Market owners Chris Scott and Julie Champion and Belleair Bluffs Mayor Chris Arbutine, were able to enjoy a few hours relaxing, although they also contributed to the event through sponsorships and prizes.

“When I heard that Irena was organizing this event for Devin, I thought, maybe I should offer a really nice grand prize,” Arbutine said while pointing to the gold coin valued at around $3,500 that he donated through his Silver Queen jewelry store.

“I figured if they were organizing this the least I could do was provide a prize people really want to play for.”

That approach apparently worked, as Belleair resident Rob Pierson outlasted the other 63 players to claim the top prize following several hours of play.

“I was honored to attend and play alongside so many friends, local leaders and business owners, all coming together for something that truly matters,” Larry Bell, the president of the Bluffs Business Association who made it to the final table, said afterward.

“Special recognition goes to Irena, whose hard work and dedication behind the scenes made this event exceed every expectation.”

After the tables closed, and the spacious conference room was being returned to its normal state, there was no doubt that the first All-In for Raising Relief Foundation Poker Tournament was a big hit.

“I think we need to have more of these in the community,” Chris Stapleton, owner of Cafe Saraha Mediterranean Fine Wine and Food on West Bay Drive, said during a break in the action.

“I think this is a great event and we should do these types of things more often. And whatever we can do for the community, we will.”

For her part, Nolasco said you can bet a second annual poker tournament is already in the works.

“I was so pleased with the outcome of the event and the amount we were able to raise for our wonderful local charity, Raising Relief,” Nolasco said after the event, adding, “the strength of our community really showed through this event, and I was really proud of our local businesses and supporters.”

Regarding the second annual poker tournament, Nolasco said sponsorships and involvement for next year’s event will be available at Stafanec’s South in November,” while noting, “it was so joyful and rewarding to see people who attended this year’s event truly have a good time, and I am excited to do it again.”