Sports stats



CHL Mississippi RiverKings

Parsons' Pledge event received well by supporters

March 15, 2004 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


TUNICA, Miss.—Sam's Town Hotel and Gambling Hall in Tunica hosted a standing-room only reception and silent auction to raise money for Memphis RiverKings team captain Don Parsons' goals-for-charity endowed fund on Monday, March 15.

Sam's Town began a partnership with Parsons' Pledge last year, donating $5,000 to the program to help Parsons start an endowed fund with the Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi.

Last year the fund benefited the Memphis Oral School for the Deaf, where Parsons' daughter Maggy attends, and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. This year Parsons added another children's charity to the list, Palmer Home for Children orphanage.

After allowing an hour for supporters and his teammates to mingle and enjoy a spread of sumptuous hors d'oeuvres, Parsons stood up to speak. He had a short, touching tribute to his wife Kristen, "without whom I would never have been able to accomplish any of this," a thank-you to the community, the RiverKings staff and team.

"Many people ask why I'm 32 years old and still playing hockey," Parsons said. "You guys are the reason." He spoke to his teammates. "I feel bad that I invited all of you and your wives and you're standing up, but I knew that you wouldn't mind standing for a good cause. That's why I invited you."

‘Kings defenseman Derek Landmesser reciprocated Parsons' faith in his teammates.

"We're family," Landmesser said. "What he does is a lot of hard work and behind-the-scenes stuff. He does so much, and us coming and standing for a few hours is nothing. Anything we can do to help out, we will."

Sam's Town Food and Beverage Director Jack Elia surprised Parsons by producing a gigantic check for an additional $5,000 written out to Parsons' Pledge.

"Sam's Town as a company is very involved in the community," Elia said afterward. "We've asked all of our management to go out and find charities they want to get involved with.

"When I met Donny and talked with him, I knew that was the charity I wanted to get involved with. I enjoy helping him out. It's for a great cause. The charities he's chosen are phenomenal. Sam's Town will be here next year and for many years to come."

The silent auction wasn't the only place seeing some monetary action. Local businessman Tim Hammers slipped Parsons a check afterward for a fairly large unreported sum.

"I guess it's becoming a tradition," said Hammers, who was a regular contributor to Parsons' Pledge for the 2002-2003 season. His sons, Billy Thomason, 15, and Erich Hammers, 13, play in the Jr. RiverKings youth hockey leagues that Parsons coaches and organizes. "Don Parsons likes to give back to the community, and I like to give too. I've been blessed in my life, and I've been blessed with healthy children. Not all children and parents are that fortunate, and this is a way I can help those people."

Parsons was overwhelmed by the generosity.

"I thought Jack did enough putting on the event in the first place," Parsons said. "I can't say enough about what Sam's Town and Jack have done. I feel like the night's been a success.

"We got a surprise donation from Sam's Town and a nice check from Mr. Hammers; people have filled up the donation cups on the table, from what I can tell, and the auction seems to be going well. Some people are over-gracious, but we'll take it. Everyone has been so supportive. It's really been wonderful."



Central Hockey League Stories from March 15, 2004


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.

Other Recent Mississippi RiverKings Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central