CHL Mississippi RiverKings

\'Kings visit Ronald McDonald House

Published on December 16, 2004 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


Three-year-old Stanton came back a little late from his treatment at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital on Thursday. He ran as fast as his little legs could carry him down the hall and into the lobby of Ronald McDonald House to try and catch the Memphis RiverKings players before they left—all of whom stopped still in their tracks of mass exodus to sign a team photo, shake his hand and take pictures.

The team visit on Thursday, Dec. 16 was part of a ticket donation program which provides tickets for families to attend RiverKings games free during their stay at the House.

The team pioneered the program last year. Players helped raise funds to buy the tickets and corporate sponsors were also given the opportunity to help out by donating their share of sponsorship tickets.

The team recently brought in $667 from an auction of Christmas ornaments painted and autographed by RiverKings players. Additionally, players have made personal donations to the ticket donation program, for which RiverKings forward Ken Goetz is serving as spokesperson.

Ronald McDonald House provides a home-away-from-home for 51 families, each of whom has a child who is being treated for pediatric cancer or other catastrophic illness at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

The House provides for all the basic needs of families, many of whom have come to Memphis on short notice with little more than the clothes on their backs. This includes kitchen facilities, bedrooms, linens, keeping in touch with family members back home and anything else they need.

Goetz continues to seek donations so he may present the house with money at the end of the season in addition to an evening out every month for Ronald McDonald House families courtesy of the RiverKings. He will also visit the House twice a month to meet families and hang out with residents.

"Ronald McDonald House is a great organization," Goetz said. "They try to make all the details of everyday living as stress free as possible so that families can concentrate on getting treatment and getting well. All the parents have to worry about is their child.

"The RiverKings players are glad to provide the families with an evening away from medicine and hospitals to relax, but we want to help them when they leave the arena as well. This is a great way to do that, and I'm really excited to see what we can do in the next three months."

To help Goetz in his charitable initiative, call the RiverKings office at 662-342-1755.

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Central Hockey League Stories from December 16, 2004


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