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RiverKings Players To Trade Jerseys For Aprons

November 5, 2003 - SPHL (SPHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


SOUTHAVEN, Miss.—Memphis RiverKings players will quit serving up hard knocks and pick up catfish and steak instead when they change their jerseys for aprons during a player-waiter night at Ben's Place restaurant to benefit children at DeSoto Sunrise Homes on Nov. 18.

The players will shoot delicious dishes to patrons and fans starting at 7 p.m. that Tuesday night. The menu will include fried or grilled catfish or chicken or a 6 oz. steak filet, with choice of potatoes, salad, rolls and hushpuppies and a drink. Children also get a choice of chicken strips or a hamburger with fries and a drink.

The event, sponsored by the Kings With A Cause club, will feature the auction of the players' aprons after the event. Door prizes will also be given away. Tickets are limited to 100 people on a first-come, first-serve basis. Cost is $15 for Kings With A Cause members, $17 for non-members, and $5 for children.

"This is something the organization is trying to do to get more fans involved with charities in a fun way," Director of Community Relations Michael Rice said. "I think everyone will really enjoy it. The players really enjoyed our last event at Dulin's to benefit Ronald McDonald House. The fans had a great time too."

Assistant Coach Mark Richards said the many of the players are excited about helping such a worthy cause.

"Many of our guys are still kids at heart, so we can relate to it a little bit more than most people," Richards said, chuckling, before growing serious again. "These kids don't have the same opportunities that we had in our upbringing. It's nice to give back to them for sure."

DeSoto Sunrise Homes, Inc. provides services to children and adolescents at risk of developing delinquent behaviors. The home serves as home to as many as 11 girls at a time who have experienced emotional and/or behavior problems at home, school or in the community as a result of abuse, neglect or lack of adequate coping skills.

"It's operated more closely to a foster home environment," Director of Operations Shane Robbins said. "It is home for many of the girls. They come from very dysfunctional families. Many of them come from an environment where they have been neglected or abused. We have counselors in the home who help them develop coping skills to deal with some of the issues in their lives and become emotionally healthy, productive adults.

"We're an inter-denominational organization providing access to Christian services. We want to see these girls grow to maximize their potential, not only emotionally, intellectually and physically, but also morally. There's a tendency among girls who come from these types of environments to seek out relationships with abusive males, to have unplanned pregnancies and to end up on government welfare. We're trying to break that cycle."

To reserve a seat for the Player-Waiter Dinner, please call 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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