CHL Mississippi RiverKings

Fans, players visit during "Sign & Dine" at H.T. Ponder\'s restaurant

Published on January 28, 2004 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


SOUTHAVEN, Miss.—RiverKings players and fans got together Tuesday night at H.T. Ponder's country buffet restaurant for a night of fun, food and fellowship. Thanks to a donation from restaurant owner Tim Ponder, a RiverKings merchandise silent auction, and a live remote broadcast from FM 100, the group raised almost $1,200 for Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid-South, Inc.

"It was a very successful evening, worthwhile for everyone involved," Ponder said. "The response was kind of overwhelming."

Fans of all ages enjoyed eating with the players and picking up autographs from their favorite players.

John Frye, 8, shyly stopped RiverKings captain Don Parsons and asked him to sign a poster. Parsons asked him, who's your favorite player?

"Cornish," said Frye. "But you're not bad either." Parsons was tickled by Frye's honesty, and immediately went and found Cornish and brought him to the table. Parsons repeated the story throughout the evening to many equally bemused adults.

Norma J. Owing of First Trust Mortgage and her husband were in attendance, along with friends Phillip and Shirley Santucci. Phillip Santucci, a St. Jude Hospital building employee, said his favorite moment was "grossing out" Parsons—a Boston native—by talking about eating the local delicacy frog legs. Parsons said it was on his list of things never to try again, although he did enjoy eating alligator while he was playing in Louisiana.

"The food is good here," Santucci said. "We're enjoying ourselves. This is fun."

Forward Trent Dickson said he enjoyed visiting with fans.

"It's always nice to come to these places and sign autographs for the kids and talk to the fans," Dickson said. "There's always a lot to talk about. They're the ones that come see us every game, and it's fun to hear what they have to say."

For event organizers, the best part of the evening was knowing the money raised will bring a smile to the face of a child with a serious illness.

Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid-South, Inc. grants wishes for children who have life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength, and joy. The RiverKings are in the process of raising money to grant a child's wish.

"We want to give children something to look forward to other than doctors, nurses and hospital visits," said Cortney Greene, Communications Coordinator for the Mid-South chapter of Make-A-Wish. "We don't claim to perform miracles, but we've seen children smile who haven't smiled in a year in anticipation of that wish. We've seen miracles happen as a result of the spirit of hope born in children, all because of the gift of someone who has never met that child. Wishes are very powerful."

The RiverKings' next game is Feb. 6 against the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs. The featured non-profit group of the evening will be the Lupus Foundation. For more information or tickets, call 662-342-1755.

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Central Hockey League Stories from January 28, 2004


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