SPHL Mississippi RiverKings

RiverKings, Pepsi, Walmart and First Regional Library Join Forces for Toys for Tots

Published on December 2, 2011 under SPHL (SPHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


SOUTHAVEN, Miss. -- It's raining cats and dogs and...teddy bears?

You have to see it to believe it! Pepsi, DeSoto County Walmart locations, Horn Lake/Southaven/Olive Branch Public Libraries, FedEx and the Mississippi RiverKings hockey team are joining forces to raise money and gather donations through the Dec. 10 "Stuff the Truck" and annual RiverKings Teddy Bear Toss events to benefit the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys For Tots programs.

Visitors to the Southaven, Olive Branch, and Hernando Walmart locations will be in for a treat when they decide to donate to Toys For Tots. Folks who bring or buy a toy for the "Stuff the Truck" promotion from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. on Dec. 10 will receive Pepsi products or giveaways as a thank-you for their donation.

Additionally, RiverKings hockey mascot Sheldon the turtle and First Regional Library's Reggie the Reading Raccoon mascot will be on hand from noon to 1 p.m. at Southaven Walmart and 2-3 p.m. at Olive Branch Walmart to entertain shoppers as they deliver their donations to the Pepsi trucks parked at the Christmas murals composed of Pepsi cans just outside the store entrances. FedEx employees will be on hand in a volunteer capacity to help receive the toys. Fans can pick up a flyer that, when presented at the DeSoto Civic Center box office, will ensure a donation to Toys For Tots of $3 per ticket purchased for the RiverKings game that night.

That evening, the RiverKings will host the annual "Teddy Bear Toss" event during the team's Dec. 10 home game at 7:05 p.m. to benefit Toys for Tots. When the horn sounds for the first RiverKings goal of the night, fans will rain stuffed toys onto the ice. All toys gathered during the game will be donated to the U.S.M.C. Reserve Toys For Tots Christmas gifts program for deserving area children. Toys can also fill the Horn Lake Library's Holiday Sleigh through December 21.

"We're really excited about the enthusiasm of our partners and how these events are going to make this year one the best so far in terms of bringing joy to kids in need this Christmas," said Master Sgt. Carrol Selmer Howard, a FedEx employee and retired Marine who serves as Local Community Organizer for Mid South Toys For Tots encompassing Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee. "All the toys and funds collected in each state are earmarked for that state in particular. We can't wait to see all the smiles this is going to put on kids' faces."

The RiverKings will feature Toys for Tots as the M.V.P. (Money-Volunteers-Publicity) Nonprofit Organization for the Dec. 10 game. Other toys and donations will be collected at the Toys for Tots table on the Desoto Civic Center concourse.

Folks who wish to purchase the Toys for Tots RiverKings benefit tickets apart from the toy drop event may print off the flyer from http://midsouth.toysfortots.org beginning Wed., Dec. 1 or call 901-239-2266.

For more information about the Face Off Field Trip or about RiverKings fundraising, other programs for nonprofits, or ticket information, please contact the RiverKings office at 662-342-1755 or visit www.riverkings.com . Maddox Hockey, Inc. is a for-profit entity created by the Maddox Foundation as a program-related investment to further the Foundation's charitable work and promote tourism and economic development in the region, including the viability of the Desoto Civic Center. The RiverKings are supported by the team's fans, season ticket holders, corporate partners and program-related investments of the Foundation.

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