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CHL Mississippi RiverKings

RiverKings spotlight Make-A-Wish foundation

January 5, 2005 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


When Tyler Jones, age 3, drops the puck at the Memphis RiverKings' game against the New Mexico Scorpions on Thursday, Jan. 7, it will be remarkable—not because he is so young, but because he is alive and able.

Jones was diagnosed as an infant with a life-threatening medical condition. Last year, DeSoto Athletic Club sponsored him through Make-A-Wish Foundation® of the Mid-South, Inc. With the help of the Southaven Police Department and the City of Southaven, D.A.C. set to work making it a memorable day.

In a parade that took 45 minutes to complete from Snowden Grove to the D.A.C., the Southern Baptist Educational Center and DeSoto Central school bands played while 30 police vehicles, three fire trucks, three flag teams and a dance team made the trek in Jones' honor.

His hero, Spiderman, made a surprise visit, rappelling down a 100-foot fire truck platform to hug the boy. "Ralph Mouse" (a.k.a. Southaven Alderman-at-Large Greg Guy), greeted Jones at the door of the athletic club and told him that his cousin Mickey had called that morning to tell him Tyler was going to make a trip to visit Mickey in his home at Disney World. The bands played the "Scooby Doo" theme song for Jones, who danced the entire song.

Jones' father, Billy, is a member of the Southaven Police Department. The officers were so affected by the experience they began raising money to grant another child's wish.

That is the mission of Make-A-Wish Foundation: to grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.

"We've had several wish children, like Tyler, who were so affected by the wish that was granted to them that they have started raising money to grant another child's wish while continuing to battle their own illness," Make-A-Wish Communications Coordinator Amanda Sexton said.

"We don't claim to perform miracles, but we've seen children smile who haven't smiled in a year in anticipation of that wish. We've seen miracles happen as a result of the spirit of hope born in children, all because of the gift of someone who has never met that child.

"Wishes are very powerful. That's what a wish does. It grows and snowballs. It inspires people. It's unbelievable."

The foundation categorizes wishes in four ways: the wish to meet, the wish to go, the wish to be, and the wish to see something. Sexton said the wish is all about reaching the heart and soul of the particular child, allowing them to think and dream the seemingly impossible.

The average cost of granting a wish is $5,000. RiverKings fans and staff have raised money to grant a wish in the past and been a part of several hockey-related wishes.

"So many people benefit from the wish experience – the wish child, the donor, and those who witness the magic," Sexton said.

The children served by Make-A-Wish are referred to the Foundation by physicians, social workers, their parent or legal guardian, and the children themselves. The Foundation does not solicit wishes.

"We want to give children something to look forward to other than doctors, nurses and hospital visits," Sexton said. "Whatever that special child's wish may be we move heaven and earth to make it come true."

Make-A-Wish Foundation® of the Mid-South, Inc. will be the featured non-profit organization at the RiverKings' Jan. 7th game. For more information on Make-A-Wish visit their table on the DeSoto Civic Center concourse during the game or call 901-680-WISH or visit the Web at www.wish.org.

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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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