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CHL Mississippi RiverKings

Karma works in favor of charitable \'Kings fans

January 4, 2005 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


As the saying goes, what goes around comes around.

Earlier this year, the Looney family used a family holiday to make a contribution to Parsons' Pledge, a children's charitable fund founded by Memphis RiverKings captain Don Parsons. Now, in a twist of good luck (or fate?) they are going to get a smashing dinner at the upscale gourmet restaurant at Bonne Terre, with Parsons' company included.

Troy Looney's wife, Sonya, entered him for Bonne Terre's "Dinner With A ‘King" contest, a complimentary dinner at the Bonne Terre restaurant with the RiverKings player of his choice and two free tickets to a RiverKings game through the RiverKings' website contest. This week, Troy's name was drawn from the stack of web entries.

Choosing a player wasn't hard. The Looneys' son Brandon, 6, has attended several of Parsons' hockey clinics. They sit next to the players' entrance at games, where they always say hello to the team captain.

"We're big fans," Troy said.

The family has been following the progress of Don's daughter, Maggy (age 2), who was born deaf. Shortly after her birth, Parsons formed a goals-for-charity fund to help non-profit Memphis Oral School for the Deaf, where she has received treatment and schooling, and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, in honor of his father's battle with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. It now also raises money for Palmer Home for Children.

This past year, the Looneys approached Brandon with an idea: instead of getting toys for his birthday, how would he like to help Don and Maggy?

"He was all for it," Looney said. He smiled. "Brandon is like most kids. He's already got all the toys he could ever need plus a whole bunch of stuff that he probably doesn't. He was excited about helping."

So the Looneys had a big party and invited all of Brandon's friends, as well as Parsons. Don brought his whole family. His daughters played on the moonbounce with all of the other kids and had a great time.

"He's a unique athlete—no doubt about it," Looney said. "There's not many out there like him. He's still out there doing it better than the young guys. I really respect what he does in the community too. It's good to see an athlete really involved.

"He doesn't have a big ego either—when you talk to him, you wouldn't even know he's a professional hockey player. He's on your level, you know? He's a real cool guy."

Troy says he's very excited, but he won't be going alone. Sonya and Brandon would never forgive him if they didn't get to go. So it will be dinner for four at the beautiful restaurant.

"This is awesome," he said. "We can't wait. We're at every RiverKings game, so we'll invite two of friends to come with us with the free tickets. What a nice treat."

To enter the ‘Kings contest for dinner with the player of your choice at Bonne Terre and two free tickets to a game, visit the RiverKings website and click on the "Bonne Terre Dinner With A ‘King" icon on the right side of the ‘Kings home page.



Central Hockey League Stories from January 4, 2005


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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