A quickly growing fundraising tradition for troops will be back in full force on Saturday.

The third annual Tyler J. Trahan poker chip set tournament will take place on Aug 6. at 6 p.m. at Café Funchal in New Bedford.

Registration will be at 5 p.m., and a buffet-style dinner will be served.
This year, former Chicago Bears running back Bobby Watkins will stop by and sign two footballs.

Watkins, a friend of Tyler Trahan’s father, Jean-Pierre Trahan, also played for the Ohio State Buckeyes before playing three seasons in the NFL.

Event organizer Kellie Costa, Tyler Trahan’s cousin, launched this event in 2009, only months after Tyler Trahan, a Freetown native and a Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class, was killed in Iraq in April 2009.

She said she and other event organizers are hoping to raffle off 100 items, including Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots tickets, a bicycle and gift certificates to various local restaurants and businesses.

All money raised goes to the nonprofit United Service Organizations, which provides recreational and other services to American servicemen.

She said that, using the Texas Hold'em Poker Set tournament money, the USO sends out care packages to troops in addition to a letter about Tyler and the fundraiser.

Costa said these care packages are so important because “troops often get forgotten.”

“The goal for everyone is to have a good time and raise awareness for troops,” Costa said.