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CHL Mississippi RiverKings

RiverKings highlight Toys for Tots, host 10 local charities

November 20, 2007 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


Southaven, MS --- Tuesday, November 27th as the RiverKings face off against the Wichita Thunder, 7:05pm at the DeSoto Civic Center, the RiverKings will highlight the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program, and host 10 other local charities.

The Toys for Tots program began in 1947, and was founded on the premise that every child deserves a little Christmas. Today through donations of money and new, unwrapped toys the program is able to provide underprivileged children with the simple joy of a new toy for Christmas.

"Part of what everyone who donates likes about this program is that items donated locally are distributed locally," explained Staff Sergeant Gatlin, Memphis area Toys for Tots Coordinator.

Tuesday five uniformed Marines will be in attendance at the game as representatives from the Memphis area Toys for Tots program. These members mainly collect and distribute toys throughout the greater Memphis area including DeSoto County, MS.

"Last year, the Memphis Marines, in conjunction with over 120 local businesses and concerned citizens, were able to give 40,000 area children a gift for Christmas," Gatiln said. "This year we will hopefully be able to provide a gift for more children than that."

This nationwide program helps any family in need anywhere in the US.

"Our campaign for the year kicked off on November 1 and will run through December 14," explained Gatlin. "We are excited to be highlighted at the RiverKings game. We will be collecting toys at all of the entrances of the DeSoto Civic Center as well as at a table on the concourse."

"On behalf of the Memphis Marines, we say 'THANK YOU' for making the wishes of tens of thousands of less fortunate children come true," Gatlin expressed.

For further information on the Memphis are Toys for Tots program please visit www.memphistoysfortots.org.

The RiverKings are excited to invite several other charities to the game on Tuesday, November 27th as well. These additional charities will be featured on the concourse distributing information and seeking help from RiverKings fans.

Project Package, a Southaven based group that sends packages to troops overseas each month, will also be at the game on Tuesday to collect items for its next package shipment from RiverKings fans wishing to donate items to our military men and women spending the holiday away from their families on foreign soil.

"We are pleased to have an opportunity set up a table on the 27th at the RiverKings game," Rickey Pope, organizer of Project Package said. "We have over 700 boxes to fill to send to our troops this Christmas."

Some items needed to fill these packages include unscented baby wipes, batteries, beef jerky, Chap Stick, chips, cereal bars, cookies, deodorant, flip flops, foot powder, fruit cups, hand sanitizer, lotion, tooth paste, tooth brushes with case, and Vienna sausages.

Items brought to the game should be taken to Project Packages' table on the concourse of the Civic Center. A complete list of the items collected and sent out each month will also be available at the table.

Additional organizations in attendance include: Save 1 Pet, Hernando Lions Club, Quail Run, Palmer Home for Children, Southaven Civitan, Olive Branch Civitan, Gifts from the Heart, Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi, and local Rotary Clubs. For more information on the RiverKings game or any of these organizations call the RiverKings office at 662-342-1755.

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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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