CHL Mississippi RiverKings

Let There be Light - RiverKings Aid Softball Project

Published on June 9, 2010 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


HERNANDO - The Hernando Civic Center is raising funds to expand the facility's capacity to serve area youth baseball and softball teams by installing lights on three ball fields. A unique partnership with the Mississippi RiverKings hockey team and the team's owner, Maddox Foundation, will enable the Civic Center to raise the $20,000 or more needed for the "Let There Be Lights" project in one event.

"Our plan is to install lighting at the three ball fields at the Civic Center that currently have no lights," said Hernando Youth Sports Director Danny Phillips. "This will allow us to play an additional 6 games per night, giving more teams an opportunity to participate in our leagues. It would especially give our girls softball teams more playing time on the fields."

The 90 or so baseball and softball teams playing Dizzy Dean ball at the Hernando Civic Center are raising funds by selling tickets to the RiverKings' home opening game, scheduled for Saturday, October 16. The team that sells the most tickets for the fundraiser will be rewarded with a team party with pizza, drinks and Italian ice desserts donated by Taylor Phillips and a private fishing trip at the farm of Eric Benne, owner of Southern Winds.

"It's the easiest fund raiser I have ever been involved with," said Phillips. "All we have to do is sell at least 200 tickets, and then for each ticket sold, the RiverKings will donate $5 to the project. The Maddox Foundation will then match those donations dollar for dollar."

With about 1,000 boys and girls enrolled in the ball programs at the Civic Center, an average of two tickets sold per player will raise $20,000.

The Mississippi RiverKings have steadily increased their involvement with and support of community causes since their purchase by the Maddox Foundation in 2001.

"Each year the team reinvests as much as 10 percent of its income in community programs," said Whitley Rives, Community Development Coordinator for the team. "We have also designed our MVP (Money-Volunteers-Publicity) Program to help raise funds and generate public support for local charitable causes."

Over the past eight years, Maddox Foundation has invested almost $300,000 in improving facilities at the Hernando Civic Center, and another $500,000 in youth sports programs there.

"While we obviously have a major interest in youth hockey programs, we are also committed to improving the Civic Center property and all programs operated there," said Mike Ward, Director of Programs for the Foundation. "We are particularly glad to be able to provide matching grants where organizations raise funds through the RiverKings' MVP program."

"Maddox Foundation has contributed tremendously to the overall development of the north side of the park," said Phillips. "In addition to the roller hockey rink, the Foundation funded a concession stand and bathroom facilities serving that end of the park. The Foundation and the RiverKings have been consistent supporters of our youth sports activities. They are now giving us another opportunity to improve the park."

Fund raising activities are already off to a good start, according to Phillips, with over 200 tickets sold in less than a week. Early contributors have included Pat's Pins, Medallions and More, Fleet Compliance Service in Horn Lake, Diane Akerson and Chuck Hutton Toyota, who purchased 50 tickets for the "Let There Be Lights" project.

"We want to take at least 2,000 of our fans and supporters to the RiverKings' home opener," said Phillips.

The Hernando Civic Center was built and has been maintained for many years by three local civic clubs: the Hernando Rotary Club, the Hernando Lions Club, and the Hernando Saddle Club. It has served the community for 35 years. Phillips, a Hernando Rotary Club member, took over managing the baseball/softball programs and the day-to-day operation of the park in the early 1980's.

"The ball and hockey programs are funded with very little taxpayer money, mostly by parents of the kids who play in the programs, along with team sponsors and private contributions like those from the Maddox Foundation," Phillips said. "We try and make sure that every kid who wants to play gets to play. And once they're signed up, every kid gets some kind of trophy."

"This is a great opportunity for the community to step up and help our kids," Phillips said. "The RiverKings and Maddox Foundation have worked hard, giving for a long time to Hernando Youth Sports and the Civic Center. Now, if everyone purchases two tickets or sponsors a kid to the game, they are giving us a chance to light the fields and have a great time doing it."

To purchase tickets, please contact Danny Phillips at 901-262-2239 or DPHIL10513@aol.com. For information about the RiverKings, call 662.342.1755 or check out www.riverkings.com.

The Mississippi RiverKings are supported by their community partners, season ticket holders, fans, and by program-related investments of the Maddox Foundation, an independent private foundation based in Hernando, Mississippi.

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Central Hockey League Stories from June 9, 2010


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