Best way to promote a local charity tournament?

[tarantulabob]

All, saw a charity thread last month here that got me to thinking maybe you have some good ideas. (I'm assuming it's ok to post this here) There's a local charity here in Syracuse, NY that runs a tournament to raise funds. Last year they gave away a seat to the WSOP ME, but ended up taking a bath on the tournament. People signed up but never showed.

The basic format for raising funds is this: Get people to sponsor you in the same way one would sponsor for a walk-a-thon or similar where you get $10s here, $20s there, up to the minimum. (This year it is $150). Minimum funds need to be raised to get a seat at the table with a couple levels of funding giving you more starting chips.

So here's the problem. This year they began promoting the event on local TV, via e-mail etc. A week before the tourney, they only had 25 commitments and had to post-pone it. Since the event is held at the Turning Stone Casino and so they can cover the costs and actually make some money, there is a minimum entry count to hold the event. They typically have some "walk ons" from the poker room, but not enough to plan for. (last year Al Krux played in it)

So, any ideas on how to better promote this event?

It has been rescheduled for 1/13/07. Here's the details: http://www.charitypokerchallenge.net/

Thanks,
Brett

P.s. Congrats to all the 2p2ers who owned TS a couple of weeks ago.