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SPHL Mississippi RiverKings

RiverKings and Children\'s Homes, Inc. to Partner in Fundraiser

March 10, 2003 - SPHL (SPHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


PARAGOULD, Ark.— Several RiverKings players visited Children's Homes, Inc. today as part of an effort to raise funds for the non-profit residential childcare agency, which also provides foster care and adoptive services. The organization is selling tickets to the March 15 game against the Austin Ice Bats and will keep the profits. To support Children's Homes by buying tickets to the RiverKings game, call 870-239-4031.

The Children's Homes' mission is to provide a substitute home for dependent and neglected children and to restore the broken lives of children and families by providing loving, Christian homes for children whose parents cannot care for them because of death, separation, abandonment, illness or some other reason.

Children's Homes is home to between 40 and 60 children at all times. Children are placed with families who live in the campus' cottages, each of which houses up to six children outside the biological children of the foster family living there. The children and their families eat and study together and participate in family activities.

The organization offers many programs for a wide range of problems on campus. To help children who have been in and out of school, the campus has "The Little Red Schoolhouse," offering one-on-one academic tutoring and spiritual training. The program gives special attention to psychological, behavioral or social problems. Each child enrolls in regular school upon reach their proper grade level.

Other programs at Children's Homes include "Children's Homes Adventure Challenge Experience," an experiential learning program using a variety of rope challenges and wilderness activities; "Stepping Out," in which young people are trained in vocational skills like woodworking, livestock, agriculture, horticulture, maintenance, painting and electrical work; and "Equine Assisted Psychotherapy," in which students are taught to ride and care for horses.

As students progress in the equine program, they begin to help teach others in the groups and are allowed to participate in 4-H programs. Some of the students develop their riding skills to the point where they are able to ride in shows, parades, or work as wranglers with the trail riding program which Children's Homes also provides.

"We provide these programs for two major reasons," said Children's Homes Director of Public Relations Micah Brinkley. "One is to help build trust. Most of these kids don't know how to trust anyone. Many of them have been abused either physically or sexually. Two is to learn how to love and be loved in a positive way. A lot of these children have searched for love for a long time, and they have wanted to be loved so badly that love often ends up being a very harmful thing for them. We want to teach them how to give and receive love in an appropriate way, and seeing the response of the animals to the way they care for them is good way for them to learn."

The organization was started in 1955 through a local church in Paragould, Ark. A year later, the organization incorporated and became an independent organization. It now has three campuses, one in Paragould, one in Kennett, and one in north Little Rock. The organization has cared for more than 2,200 youth since its founding and services an average of about 125 children each year. Those children served include not only local Arkansas children, but children from around the country and all four coasts.

The Children's Homes campuses include not only cottages but also apartment settings for some of the older children who choose to attend college.

"We know some of them may go to college and still need us because they are still going through that learning process," Brinkley said. "Under the direction of house parents, they learn to live alone, budget money and manage their time wisely."

The Children's Homes' Website, www.childrenshomes.org, carries the slogan, "Make Us Your First Choice, Not Your Last Chance." Counselors at the home are involved in outreach programs with their local communities in which they visit homes to help families who have problems stay together.

The organization is not funded in any way by government monies, but relies totally on donations by churches and individuals to ensure that any child has the opportunity to receive the help they need in the case that parents can't shoulder the amount required for their child to attend.

"Many of the children leave here and have a better outlook on life," Brinkley said. "They leave here and are able to turn the bad things in their life into good things and help others who have the same kind of problems. They are able to say, ‘There is hope. There are people out there who will love you and care for you and help you.'"

The RiverKings play three games back to back this weekend at the DeSoto Civic Center, located just 15 minutes south of downtown Memphis. The RiverKings host the New Mexico Scorpions on Friday, the Austin Ice Bats on Saturday and the Indianapolis Ice on Sunday. Face-off all three nights is set for 7:05 p.m. For tickets call (662)-342-1755 or go online to www.RiverKings.com and use the Ticketmaster link.

UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENTS · This coming Friday when the ‘Kings host the New Mexico Scorpions all upper bowl tickets are just $5. Also water bottles courtesy of the DeSoto Athletic Club will be given to the first 1,500 fans, plus skate on the DCC ice after the game.

· Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid-South, Inc. will sell commemorative pucks Friday and Saturday. Average cost of granting a wish is $5,000. The organization made $2,000 this weekend, thanks to RiverKings fans who by their purchase will help grant the wish of a child with a life-threatening illness to enrich the human experience with hope, strength, and joy.

· Saturday join the ‘Kings for a President's Cup Finals rematch as they host the Austin Ice Bats. The RiverKings will wear special commemorative jerseys from Bumpus Harley Davidson of Memphis. The jerseys will be auctioned off after the game with the profits benefiting Cystic Fibrosis and the Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi. Also Don Parsons will be honored by Just Hockey Magazine as the Minor League Player of the Year during the first intermission.

· Sunday is the final game of the regular season as the ‘Kings host the Indianapolis Ice on Fan Appreciation night. Join the ‘Kings after the game for a post-game skate with the whole team, plus great giveaways. The American Diabetes Association will be the RiverKings' featured non-profit of the night. To support the American Diabetes Association in their efforts to prevent and find a cure for diabetes, and to improve the lives of people affected by diabetes, by purchasing tickets to a RiverKings game, call the RiverKings office at 662-413-4282 and ask for Melissa.

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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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