CHL Mississippi RiverKings

RiverKings to Spotlight Samaritans' Organization

February 3, 2011 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


SOUTHAVEN, MS --- The Mississippi RiverKings will celebrate the Samaritans organization and its recent accomplishments of raising $2,000 in grants from the RiverKings and owner Maddox Foundation through a ticket fundraiser on Saturday, Feb. 5, when the RiverKings take on the Tulsa Oilers as part of Southland Gaming and Racing jersey auction night.

The Samaritans ‚¬â„¢ mission is to provide emergency subsistence, to offer empowering information, and to guide their clients out of poverty one step at a time. "There are poverty-stricken people who truly want to help themselves but just need some assistance to steer them in the right direction," Samaritans Co-Executive Director Beth Pekaar said.

"Our goal is to teach our clients how to be self-sufficient and encourage them to be all that they can be. Sometimes, families are just going through a rough patch and need a little help to get them through. When a client is able to stand on their own two feet again soon after receiving help from us, most times we hear about it. It can really be a tear-jerker when you see the Samaritans efforts were really appreciated and those families are so grateful. It just gives the staff and volunteers such joy in our hearts."

Pekaar started out serving as secretary for Samaritans ‚¬â„¢ board of directors; soon she was volunteering in the office. After seeing the impact Samaritans had on the community and the need for services, she threw herself into the work and now serves as co-director with Executive Director Jim Glass, whom she looks up to as mentor.

"Jim Glass is such an asset to the Samaritans and our community," Pekaar said. "He truly has his heart in this ministry. He is truly the glue that holds this ministry together."

Samaritans can help with prescription medications, some rent/mortgage, utilities, clothing and food. Samaritans has limited funds dedicated to emergency lodging, such as in the case of a house fire, and works with other organizations to gather food and clothing for families in need of such services.

"We also have the ability to educate individuals who are just lost in how to survive," Pekaar said. "If we see that they come to us for help, but eat out three times a week or have HBO and Showtime on their cable bill, we can coach them on what is a necessity and what is not. We can educate them on how eating at home rather than out could pay a whole electric bill, for instance."

Samaritans conducts careful screening of potential clients. Unemployed clients in good health must demonstrate that they are searching for employment. Potential clients must also bring photo ID, proof of residence, proof of all income including bank statements, all bills, and social security numbers for all household members. Samaritans makes unemployed clients aware of any job opening that comes to the organization ‚¬â„¢s attention.

In addition to the RiverKings fundraiser, the organization networks resources with other organizations, such as publicizing Entergy ‚¬â„¢s weatherization program available to low-income families, and is a member of United Way, the Horn Lake Chamber Social Service Coalition, the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) Advisory Council with BancorpSouth in Southaven, and Southaven Rotary. Jim Glass ‚¬â„¢ commitment to Rotary, and Rotary ‚¬â„¢s commitment to eradicating poverty, has been instrumental for Pekaar.

"Poverty is something that people just don't think can be solved; I disagree," Pekaar said. "People thought polio could not be eradicated, yet Rotary International has been instrumental in virtually eradicating polio throughout the world. When I reflect on that accomplishment and I see Rotary ‚¬â„¢s current commitment to eradicate poverty, I think the goal to reduce/solve poverty in our own community is not out of reach. I feel Samaritans, with the help from Rotary and our own community, can ‚¬Ëœguide our clients out of poverty, one step at a time. ‚¬â„¢"

Samaritans has ongoing needs including food drive volunteers, food for the food pantry, a trailer for food drive pickups and funds.

The Samaritans ‚¬â„¢ office is open Monday and Wednesday from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., no appointments necessary. For more information, call 662-393-6439. The Mississippi RiverKings are supported by their community partners, season ticket holders, fans, and by program-related investments of the Maddox Foundation, an independent private foundation based in Hernando, Miss. To find out more about the RiverKings, call 662.342.1755 or visit www.riverkings.com.



Central Hockey League Stories from February 3, 2011


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