The stakes have never been higher for poker players in Rio Grande City.

On Friday, about 100 card fanatics and other community members will bring their poker faces to Los Girasoles in Rio Grande City. There they will face off for a chance at prizes, but most importantly, to raise money for a new ambulance in Rio Grande City for Driscoll's Children's Hospital.

"This is our last chance to get out there and raise money for this project," said Marylynn Flores, an administrator at Angelito's Home Health, the company organizing the fundraiser.

The Poker Shootout is part of a Ride to Driscoll fundraiser by the home health care company. Angelito's owner, Alvaro Peña, has spent the past year trying to raise $120,000 to buy an ambulance for the company.

The ambulance would be based in Starr County and give sick children in the area a free ride to the Corpus Christi hospital and its other Rio Grande Valley area treatment centers.

"We know a lot of children out here need assistance and we want to do what we can for them," Flores said.

So far, the company has raised about $30,000 in various fundraising efforts, including a barbecue in October hosted by Rio Grande City Firefighters.

The company hopes to raise between $20,000 and the $30,000 at the event. With a $200 entry fee, they need 100 to 150 participants to reach their goal.

But those left at the last table will have more than just bragging rights. The winner walks away with a gold bracelet to memorialize their victory. Other prizes include an expenses paid trip to Las Vegas, a flat screen television, a Sony Playstation 3 and a poker table.

Kyle Arnold covers business, the economy and general assignments for The Monitor. You can reach him at (956) 683-4410.

texas hold 'em poker shootout
>> Los Girasoles, 5997 E. Hwy 83, Rio Grande City
>> 6 p.m. Friday; registration starts at 5 p.m.
>> Entry fee is $20
>> For more information, call (956) 488-8434