CHL Mississippi RiverKings

Second Annual Military Night Backs Tickets For Troops

Published on December 10, 2009 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


(Southaven, MS) --- The Mississippi RiverKings hockey team will showcase the works of Tickets for Troops on Friday, Dec. 18, when the team honors the United States military.

Tickets for Troops, a 501c3 approved charity by the IRS, was founded by former U.S. Marine Tony Benedetti with the mission of providing a "Welcome Home Experience" for military families returning to the Mid-South from service around the globe. These outings provide a fun, safe environment for these families to spend quality time with one another.

"The families who receive these experiences are usually overwhelmed with appreciation and can't believe that this type of organization exists right in their own backyard," Benedetti said. "We aim to provide family-friendly events to help smooth the transition from military life to family life.

"For years, these men and women have been giving themselves, leaving their family and friends to fight for our freedom. Tickets for Troops is helping these families get a fresh start when they come home, giving them the opportunity to have a little fun and learn how to enjoy each other again."

In addition to professional sporting events like the RiverKings, the Memphis Grizzlies, and University of Memphis sports, Tickets for Troops also provides outings to concerts, movies, the Memphis Zoo, NASCAR, musicals, plays, and even restaurants.

Tickets For Troops is partnering with the RiverKings to host its second annual Military Appreciation Night. With 200 seats set aside for this great event, Tickets For Troops will be able to provide these seats to service members and their families free of charge, and $10 of every ticket - $2,000 total - will be donated back to Tickets for Troops from the RiverKings and matching donor/parent company Maddox Foundation.

"If your loved one is currently deployed, please rest assured that your family is invited to attend," Benedetti said. "We will be hosting several area officials and individuals from all around the Mid-South. If you know of a service member or veteran who wants to attend, please let them know we are here for them and that this night is just an excellent opportunity to say 'Thank You' to all the men and women who serve."

To sponsor a section of seats, please contact Tony Benedetti at 901.240.5755 or 901.751.2192, or email info@supportticketsfortroops.com.

Memphis Area Teachers Credit Union came on board as the organization's first major donor this year, but Benedetti said that the majority of their support comes from individuals who get involved by donating their time as chaperones or by donating tickets, funds, or gift certificates.

"We have hundreds of men and women in the Mid-South who are fighting the war on terror in Iraq and Afghanistan and will be there through 2010," Benedetti said. "If you have any tickets to events in the Memphis Area that you would like to see deserving families use in your place we will make sure that happens. We are also hoping to expand this celebration to include dinners, and overnight stays at hotels in the area. And we always need volunteers for various outings. We promote all kinds of events. Anything you would like to do they would too."

Donations of time or talent include serving as a "Personal Ambassador," meeting the families before the event to make them feel as welcome as possible; serving as a "Communication Specialist;"helping with day-to-day communications with Family Readiness Groups (groups of military families) within the service area; reviewing local publications to research veterans in the area; and assisting with writing newsletters and press releases.

"We are also putting together goody bags for each family we serve," Benedetti said. "We welcome any goody bag donations that companies would like to distribute to these great families." To donate items, please call 901.751.2192 and ask for Mike Ward.

"The military touches each of us in some way," Benedetti said. "It is part of our history as well as our present and future. If you know of someone who deserves a night out like this, please let us know through our websitewww.supportticketsfortroops.com under the tab 'REFER A HERO.' We want to help as many deserving families as possible."

To learn more about Tickets for Troops, visitwww.supportticketsfortroops.com or call 901.751.2192. To learn more about RiverKings fundraising, call the front office at 662.342.1755 or email communitydevelopment@riverkings.com.

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Central Hockey League Stories from December 10, 2009


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