CHL Mississippi RiverKings

RiverKings Feature Charitable Initiative Of Young Hockey Player

January 20, 2010 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


SOUTHAVEN, MS --- The Mississippi RiverKings M.V.P. (Money-Volunteers-Publicity) program will spotlight the works of one very creative young man on behalf of fellow Memphians through Habitat for Humanity during the hockey team's Tuesday, February second game against the Allen Americans at 7:05 p.m. at the DeSoto Civic Center in Southaven.

Conner Nix, an 11th-grader at Christian Brothers High School, established the charitable initiative "Hockey4Humanity" last year.

"I was inspired to create Hockey4Humanity by a combination of two things: my love for hockey and the desire to help people, especially the less fortunate," Nix said. "Having been born and raised here in Memphis, I've seen firsthand the poverty overwhelming many areas of the city. I wanted to find a way to make something that I already loved doing simultaneously benefit others. After some brainstorming and very helpful input from my dad, we came up with Hockey4Humanity."

Nix said once the general idea was established, getting involved was easy. The concept was to ask people to pledge a very small amount of money per save he made during the season, and then donate this money to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis at the end of each season for his remaining high school years.

"The people at Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis were very excited to hear about what I was doing, and quickly organized a meeting for us to discuss and further organize Hockey4Humanity," Nix said. "I also learned a lot about all of the amazing things that Habitat does for people. Before I knew it, many donations started to come in and we organized our very first fundraiser: the 2009 Summer Shindig, a concert at Ardent Studios. So far, Hockey4Humanity has raised $3,490. We are currently working towards a goal of $15,000. I have not yet participated in a build, but I am very eager to do so in the near future, hopefully with some of my teammates!"

In addition to making pledges per save made by Conner, people can donate directly to Habitat for Humanity by visiting the "House that Hockey Built" page on the firstgiving.com Website: www.firstgiving.com/hockey4humanity.

Folks can also participate in school fundraisers such as the "Box of Nails" program. This program encourages schools and the organizations within them (such as Jr. BETA Club, BETA Club, Key Club, et al.) to raise money for Habitat for Humanity by "purchasing" boxes of nails - i.e., making a donation in an amount which covers a box of nails - toward the construction of a Habitat house.

"Participating in fundraising or building projects gives people a great sense of accomplishment and joy when they see for themselves the profound impact they have had on the lives of the Habitat house recipients," Nix said. "In addition, you come to appreciate the hard work that goes into building a house. It also makes you realize just how fortunate you are to have the things that you would otherwise take for granted."

Hockey4Humanity's mission is to give hope and improve the quality of life for families in need by working in close conjunction with Habitat for Humanity.

"Habitat for Humanity greatly improves the lives of families in need by providing them with quality living conditions," Nix said. "They need only qualify to receive a Habitat house and invest sweat equity in the construction of their new home. Most importantly, Habitat provides these families with hope for the future."

"For me, hockey is a passion (as is music), and through Hockey4Humanity I simply do the things that I love to do," Nix said. "The result is a positive impact on the community and the people in it, and I enjoy every minute of it."

While Hockey4Humanity is a great fit for the RiverKings' M.V.P. (Money-Volunteers-Publicity) program's mission to help nonprofit organizations raise money, recruit volunteers and generate publicity, the two organizations also have the more obvious connection of shared sport.

"Hockey is an awesome sport, and not that many people in this area have been exposed to it," Nix said. "It is my hope that Hockey4Humanity will be able to generate some interest in this exciting game among young athletes."

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, Miss. The Foundation supports the team's programs that increase investments in area charities and their causes. To find out more about the RiverKings, call 662.342.1755 or visit www.riverkings.com.



Central Hockey League Stories from January 20, 2010


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