SPHL Mississippi RiverKings

RiverKings, 'Buddy Up Fore Kids,' and Ronald McDonald House Look to Help Kids and Families

Published on July 16, 2003 under SPHL (SPHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


SOUTHAVEN, Miss.—Memphis RiverKings forward Jay Neal will participate this Friday in the "Buddy Up Fore Kids" golf tournament at Memphis National Golf Club in Germantown to benefit the Ronald McDonald House. Neal will also talk about a plan to begin a RiverKings program to provide entertainment to residents of the house, a home-away-from-home for families of children being treated at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. To inquire about playing the tournament, call 901-409-3787.

This is Neal's second year to participate in "Buddy Up Fore Kids." The tournament benefits a different children's charity every year, and has selected Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid-South, Inc.; Girls, Inc. and Ronald McDonald House among others.

Neal will introduce a plan to begin a program to bring children and families staying at Ronald McDonald House to RiverKings games. The house serves 51 families whose homes are not within commuting range of St. Jude, providing lodging for them free of charge until their child's treatment is finished. The program Neal will talk about would provide families a night of entertainment courtesy of the RiverKings.

"It would be an opportunity for them to get out of the same four walls, and to enjoy an activity together outside of the hospital," Neal said.

Four years ago, Buddy Ritchey was diagnosed with renal cell cancer (cancer of the kidneys). He underwent treatment and removal of the diseased kidney.

"During my 18-month recovery, I told my wife, ‘I understand how hard it is on me; I can't imagine how hard it is on children,'" Ritchey said. "When my cancer was declared to be in remission, I really started searching for a way to help struggling young people, especially those with catastrophic diseases."

Ritchey and his son Keith began to discuss different avenues of aid. Both of them are avid golfers, and a golf tournament just seemed natural. It was Keith who coined the name, "Buddy Up Fore Kids."

The first year, the tournament chose to use funds raised from the tournament to grant a wish through Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid-South, Inc. Last year during the awards banquet, Ritchey told the story of Jessica King, the 12-year-old girl who received her wish, thanks to golf tournament participants. The girl, an avid horse-rider, received a hand-made saddle and bridle and equestrian riding outfit. The gifts became her favorite possessions. However, two weeks before the following tournament, Neal's first with "Buddy Up For Kids," the girl passed away. Her family buried her in the clothes that came from the wish grant.

"Buddy got choked up," Neal said. "It was hard for him to continue. The story really touched everybody, me especially. I told him afterward that the RiverKings were getting a new owner, Robin Grindstaff Costa, who is really involved with charitable causes. I asked him if we could somehow get involved with the golf tournament this year and Ronald McDonald house. When I talked to Robin and presented it to her, she was all for it."

Ritchey said he hopes that the tournament will continue to grow into a snowball of goodwill, inspiring more people to help others. He said it provides a way for people to connect with people outside their normal day-to-day world.

"I want people to know how the $100 they give to play in this tournament helps a child," Ritchey said. "I want them to know how it changes a life for the better."

The tournament is a four-person scramble format with a shotgun start at 1 p.m. Cost is $380 per team and $95 per person, which pays for cart fees and playing fees, two mulligans and a red tee. The tournament includes complimentary dinner and awards banquet Friday night. For more information, call 901-409-3787.

RIVERKINGS PARTIAL PLANS

Partial ticket plans will be made available after the 2003-2004 regular season schedule is released by the CHL. The complete schedule is set to be released next week.

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