Special Olympics Chatham County Holds Poker Tournament at The Mod

A poker tournament at The Mod is doing more than raising money. It's dealing a new hand to athletes with intellectual disabilities right here at home.

For years, families in Chatham County have had to travel to neighboring counties just to give their loved ones a chance to compete in Special Olympics. This Saturday, that starts to change.

On May 16, Special Olympics Chatham County is hosting a Texas Hold 'Em fundraiser at The Mod in Pittsboro. Cards fly at 3 p.m., the buy-in is $20, and the goal is bigger than any pot on the table.

A county finally getting its own program

Heather Johnson, mother of Special Olympics athlete Trevor Johnson, has been one of the driving forces behind the effort. Trevor has competed as a Special Olympics athlete in Orange County, because until now Chatham didn't have a local chapter to call its own. Johnson is working alongside Kathy Wasson, a local outreach coordinator who is helping lead the new Chatham County chapter, to change that.

The poker tournament is their public debut: a fundraiser, a community introduction, and an open invitation all at once. Money raised will benefit Special Olympics Chatham County and other local organizations supporting people with autism, intellectual disabilities, and developmental disabilities, including Camp Royall in Moncure and the Carolina Living and Learning Center north of Pittsboro.

You don't have to play to show up

Not a poker player? Come anyway. Spectators are welcome to watch, eat, buy raffle tickets, and talk with organizers about the new program. For players, the format accommodates everyone from first-timers to experienced competitors, with re-buys available and prizes throughout the afternoon. Sharon Payne, a well-known local card player and professional dealer, will direct the tournament.

Trevor Johnson will be on hand not just as an athlete, but as the chapter's recruiting manager, helping connect other athletes and families to the new program. That kind of athlete leadership is central to the Special Olympics model.

Why it matters for Chatham

Special Olympics North Carolina operates nearly 100 accredited local programs statewide and is preparing for its 2026 Summer Games, taking place May 29 through 31 in the Triangle area with nearly 1,700 athletes competing. A local Chatham chapter gives county residents a direct entry point into that network, where athletes learn about opportunities, parents connect with other families, and volunteers find their footing.

If Saturday goes well, organizers are already discussing regular Monday night games at The Mod, creating a recurring platform for community, fundraising, and cards.

Event details: Texas Hold 'Em fundraiser benefiting Special Olympics Chatham County. Saturday, May 16, at The Mod in Pittsboro. Cards begin at 3 p.m. $20 buy-in. Spectators welcome. Source: Chatham County Line, reporting by Gene Galin, May 9, 2026.