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CHL Mississippi RiverKings

RiverKings Ready for Teddy Bear Toss to benefit Le Bonheur Children\'s Medical Center

December 2, 2004 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


Throwing teddy bears on the ground and yelling isn't a nice thing to do—unless you are doing it this weekend at the Memphis RiverKings hockey game, when every bear chunked means money to help Le Bonheur Children's Medical Center and gifts for sick children.

On Saturday, fans can choose from a rainbow array of teddy bears (green, gold, blue, purple, orange and red) for $6 each or two for $10. The money will go to Le Bonheur, and any of the individually wrapped teddy bears thrown onto the ice during a goal will become huggable, squeezable presents for the children when the team visits the hospital on Dec. 16.

The night benefiting Le Bonheur will be coordinated through TWIGS (Together We Initiate Growth & Sharing), a network of non-profit volunteer groups that support and serve the children's medical center. Most of these volunteers are women from the Memphis Community.

From sore throats and stiches to brain surgery and organ transplants,

Le Bonheur cares for over 130,000 children a year and is the Mid-South's first and only premier pediatric medical facility. Of the 130,000+ children treated at Le Bonheur each year, over 60% of them have little or no health insurance - which translates to over $45 million in expenses for which they are not reimbursed.

"As moms, we're all thankful for our healthy children," Ford said. "We've all been touched by Le Bonheur in some way. We've all known a child that has been there. We want to give back to this organization that is so critically needed and used in our community."

With chapters from Olive Branch to Cordova, these ladies come together every year to put on "The Enchanted Forest" at the Pink Palace Museum in the Bodine Exhibit Hall.

Upon entering the exhibit, visitors are transported to the magical and mystical North Pole. Songs like "The First Noel" play softly. The faint scent of pine wafts through the air. Interspersed in this walk-through winter wonderland—a forest of pine trees and fluffy snow—participants can find ice skating penguins, elves crafting toys, and a variety of other animated characters; a model train on a long path through the pixie-scale Gingerbread Village, and of course, Santa Claus in his forest bungalow.

Every year sees a new addition to the event, now a 50-year Memphis area tradition. One of this year's new features is the "Celebrity Tree" section. The RiverKings players decorated one of these 2 ½-feet tall trees with handmade ornaments before it was auctioned off to a lucky bidder. It sits next to trees decorated by the likes of actor Morgan Freeman, fisherman Bill Dance, the Grizzlies, the Redbirds and other local celebrities.

"Last year, we were able to raise enough money through the Enchanted Forest for Le Bonheur to have their own custom-made regional transportation unit (ambulance), as well as a full-time EMT staff to man it," Ford said. "Helping Le Bonheur get that ambulance has been the most fulfilling thing in my three years a TWIGS volunteer. It has really made a difference."

All proceeds from the Enchanted Forest go to Le Bonheur. The TWIGS plan to donate several hospital beds with attached ventilators and monitors using this year's funds.

TWIGS raises more than $190,000 a year for Le Bonheur. For more information about joining TWIGS, call 901-572-3308.



Central Hockey League Stories from December 2, 2004


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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