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CHL Mississippi RiverKings

RiverKings team captain says thank-you

March 21, 2005 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


TUNICA—There were laughs and tears on Sunday night at Sam's Town Hotel & Gambling Hall when three different non-profit organizations were recognized by celebrity endowment fund "Parsons' Pledge," headed by Memphis RiverKings team captain Don Parsons.

The night included an abundant, spectacular display of hors d'ouevres, a silent auction and a surprise donation by Sam's Town of $5,000 to the endowed fund. Representatives and supporters of the beneficiaries of the fund—Memphis Oral School for the Deaf, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and Palmer Home for Children—showed up en masse. The evening raised an additional $14,000 for Parsons' Pledge.

Each charity had an opportunity to address the crowd and tell them about their mission in the community. They also made personal thank-you's to Parsons, for small details like reading to classes at Memphis Oral School and taking time to talk to residents of Palmer Home ("I can't thank Don and the RiverKings enough for all that he has meant to the children of Palmer Home," P.H.C. Executive Director Robert Farris said) to bigger issues like awareness.

"We appreciate Donny so much, not only because of what he does with Parsons Pledge but what he has done for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society," L.L.S. Campaign Director Michelle Stubbs said. "Last year it was my privilege to present Donny with our volunteer of the year award. He helped raise more than $35,000 for the Society.

"Our goal is to find a cure for leukemia, lymphoma and other related diseases, or to treat them as a chronic disease so they can die of natural causes. Because of Donny's work, we've elevated our awareness and education in the Memphis community to a level never seen before. There are none who have done for the Society what Donny has done."

Parsons was inspired to start a goals-for-charity program before the 2002-2003 season following the birth of his second daughter, Maggy, who was diagnosed as severely deaf; and the news that his father had non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. With a surprise additional donation of $5,000 from Sam's Town, Parsons was able to turn the program into an endowed fund with the Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi.

Parsons has used his position as goal-scoring leader in the Central Hockey League to help raise more than $75,000 for charity, as well as other milestone accomplishments such as scoring 1,000 career points (only two other American-born professional hockey player in the minor leagues have done so) and 500 career goals and assists.

Parsons became the RiverKings all-time leading goals and points leader this year; he's had five CHL All-Star Game appearances, is a 2-time CHL MVP, the 2002 CHL Playoff MVP and the 2004 CHL Man of the Year.

RiverKings team chaplain Brad Butler talked about Parsons' personal character. "You've read the stats, as I have," he said. "You know all his accomplishments. I can tell you that as good as Don Parsons the athlete is, Don Parsons the man is better."

Parsons' wife, Kristen, took the podium to thank supporters in the audience.

"Every family has a story," Kristen said. "Part of our story began on March 28, 2002, when our daughter was born, perfect in every way—except that she failed her hearing screenings in the hospital. Doctors tried to tell me it was just fluid in her ears, but a month later she was diagnosed as severely to profoundly deaf.

"That day changed our lives forever—in a positive way. God gave Maggy to us for a reason, and soon, I knew Maggy would change the world.

"I know Donny's standing here tonight thinking about the end of his career. Every day he gets up and he works so hard because he wants to do the best job, not only for the team, but also for Parsons' Pledge. I never knew this until we had kids, but Donny wants to do something good to change the world."

She turned and looked at her husband standing next to her with tears in her eyes. "Donny, I don't say this enough, but I just want to tell you I'm very proud of you, and I'm glad you're mine."

And finally, she turned to the people in the room. "Thank you so much for coming tonight," she said softly. "Because of you, children like her will have a chance."

Parsons, overcome with emotion, was forced to pause several times in his speech, biting his lip to keep back tears. First he thanked everyone who made donations this past season, including the RiverKings Kids' Club, who collected their pocket change and brought it to every game, raising $300 to give to the fund.

"That's money they could have put in the gumball machine or spent on toys, but they gave it up to help other kids," Parsons said. "That's pure inspiration for me."

Parsons also thanked his teammates, who scraped together $500 and gave it to him before their last game on Saturday night.

"Some people ask me why I'm 36 and still playing hockey," he said. "If you could get up every day and go to the locker room for a job, I think you'd do it every day until you're 90. I can't tell you guys how much this means to me. I love you guys."

Parsons talked about "the ripple effect" of good works, mentioning forward Ken Goetz's involvement and fundraiser program this year for Ronald McDonald House, and most recently a phone call from rookie points leader and RiverKings forward Phil Aucoin, who wanted to know how he could get involved with the community next year.

"It rubs off on you," Parsons said. "It is so awesome to see that other players are following my lead in this way. We can do so much to help people all over this community. It's contagious."

And last but certainly not least, Parsons thanked his wife, whose rare moment at the microphone is anti-typical of the role she prefers to play.

"Sometimes I'm gone for two weeks or more at a time, and she's home by herself with our three children, all under the age of four," Parsons said. "Imagine working a 30-hour work week, taking the kids to school in a different part of town, feeding and taking care of them and sleeping just 2-3 hours a night.

"I just want you to know I love you honey, and none of this—my hockey career, Parsons' Pledge, everything—would be possible without you. Thank you for being there and supporting me."



Central Hockey League Stories from March 21, 2005


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