Twin River called upon elected officials, celebrities and members of the media to play blackjack for the charity of their choice Thursday at the casino. From the outset each of 36 players were guaranteed $1,000 for their selected charity. At the end of five hands, the player from each of six tables with the most money (they each started with $2,000 in chips) moved on to the champions’ table and the chance to win $10,000. Warwick players and charities did well with Rep. Joseph Solomon finishing second to give Volunteers of Warwick Schools (VOWS) $7,500; Senate Majority Leader Michael McCaffrey and Beacon editor John Howell, playing separately, won $3,500 for the RI Academic Decathlon and House Majority Leader K. Joseph Shekarchi taking home $1,000 for the Friends of the Warwick Animal Shelter. Twin River gave a total of $60,000 to Rhode Island charities. Since starting the event seven years ago, almost $500,000 has been given to charity. Seen as the play was ready to start from left are Michael Sabitoni playing for St. Mary’s Home for Children; WPRI reporter Kim Kalunian playing for the East Greenwich Animal Protection League, Rep. K. Joseph Shekarchi and Senator McCaffrey. And displaying an undeniably winning hand is Rep. Joseph Solomon. (Warwick Beacon photos)