CHL Mississippi RiverKings

Memphis RiverKings players visit Le Bonheur, Ronald McDonald House

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


Memphis RiverKings forward Alex Mathieu and teammates spent time playing with babies, signing autographs and visiting children at Le Bonheur Children's Medical Center on Thursday, Dec. 16, bringing with them gifts and donations from ‘Kings fans.

The RiverKings recently helped raise money for the hospital, a non-profit organization, through the team's "Teddy Bear Toss" at the Dec. 4 and 5 games. ‘Kings fans were able to purchase individually bagged teddy bears in a rainbow of colors and throw them on the ice after goals were scored.

Mathieu and his teammates personally delivered the bears to hospital patients on Thursday.

"It's just nice to see the kids' reactions," Mathieu said. "It makes you feel good to see them smile. You just want to bring a little happiness into their lives at Christmas, to make them forget why they are there, to keep their minds off the illnesses they are fighting for a moment. You never know how you can impact a child's life."

From sore throats and stitches to brain surgery and organ transplants, Le Bonheur cares for over 130,000 children a year and is the Mid-South's first and only premier pediatric medical facility. Many surgeries required by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital are performed at Le Bonheur.

Of the more than 130,000 children treated at Le Bonheur each year, over 60 percent of them have little or no health insurance—which translates to more than $45 million in expenses for which they are not reimbursed.

For more information on Le Bonheur Children's Medical Center, visit the Web at www.lebonheur.org/.

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Central Hockey League Stories from December 16, 2004


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