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CHL Mississippi RiverKings

RiverKings to Back Baddour Center Fundraiser

May 19, 2011 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


SOUTHAVEN, MS --- The Mississippi RiverKings hockey club will continue their support of area groups and causes by hitting the links May 27 to back The Baddour Center at its tenth Annual "Miracle Drive Golf Tournament" held at The Links at Cottonwood in Tunica, MS.

Golfers will tee off to support The Baddour Center's mission of giving men and women with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to enjoy lives filled with dignity and hope, while achieving goals and reaching their full potential.

"Every day there is someone at The Baddour Center who accomplishes a goal, overcomes a fear or demonstrates talents that society assumed them not to have because of their disability," said Cassie Smith, The Baddour Center's Public Relations Coordinator.

The Baddour Center was founded in December of 1978 in memory of the late Paul Baddour by his family. It has grown into a program that helps nearly 200 adults with intellectual disabilities from 24 states.

Located in Senatobia, Miss., The Baddour Center's campus sits on 120 acres, and consists of 14 group homes and 4 apartment units for its residents.

Baddour not only provides housing for these individuals, but also jobs and skills training through its vocational programs.

"Just like you and I like to have a job, our residents do too," Smith said.

Companies such as FedEx and Xpedx contract work through Baddour Custom Packaging, and residents work at a job site on Baddour's campus through the Vocational Services Division. Other Baddour residents work as part of the campus grounds crew or at The Baddour Center's gardening gift shop.

As Baddour's website states, residents receive proper payment and compensation for their work in accordance with guidelines from the U.S. Department of Labor.

By having meaningful employment and earning money, Smith said, residents have the opportunity not only to learn skills like making budgets or shopping lists, but also to feel the joy of treating themselves to a movie or special item with the money they have earned.

The Baddour Center recognizes the need to feed and develop every facet of its residents' beings; offering social, spiritual and recreational activities through its Community Life programs.

"Here, residents have opportunities to live happy, productive lives," Smith said. "Every program and activity is geared toward their interests and goals."

Baddour residents can participate in art and dance classes, book clubs, and sports such as soccer, volleyball and basketball, all outlets for them to express themselves, discover and hone their talents.

The Baddour Center even has its own touring choir, The Miracles, who travel almost 16,000 miles across the country, while performing an average of 90 concerts each year.

Residents can also be part of The Baddour Center's drama team, The Wonder Players. These Baddour thespians are currently rehearsing for their upcoming show "A Night on Broadway," which will run June 23-26 at the Buckman Performing Arts Auditorium on the Baddour Campus. Admission is free and open to the public.

Remaining a part of The Baddour Center is a cost some families may not be able to afford for their loved ones, but that's where the Scholarship Program steps in to ensure individuals can stay at the center.

"The Scholarship Program was created for those residents who have outlived their families or their families cannot cover the cost of tuition," Smith said.

This initiative lets Baddour residents know people care about them, and helps ensure they can continue to receive the opportunity to grow and be happy individuals.

"There are men and women across the globe who excel because someone creates a window of opportunity for them to attend college," Smith said, noting the importance of scholarships and financial assistance for all kinds of programs.

"Baddour residents are no different, and the Scholarship Program gives them the opportunity to have friends, experience living outside of their family's roof, and so much more."

To contribute to The Baddour center by playing in the golf tournament please contact Jenny Schultz at 662.562.0100 extension 1-230, or by e-mail at jschultz@baddour.org. There are a few spots remaining, and entry fees are $150 for individuals, or $600 for a four-person team.

For more information on the Baddour Center and how you can get involved or donate, please visit www.baddour.org, call 1.888.4.BADDOUR or 662.562.0100.

Maddox Hockey, Inc. is a for-profit entity created by the Maddox Foundation as a program-related investment to further the Foundation's charitable work and promote tourism and economic development in the region, including the viability of the Desoto Civic Center. The RiverKings are supported by the team's fans, season ticket holders, corporate partners and program-related investments of the Foundation. To find out more about the RiverKings, call 662.342.1755 or visit www.riverkings.com .



Central Hockey League Stories from May 19, 2011


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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