CHL Mississippi RiverKings

Southaven to host area "Night Out" for evacuees

Published on September 7, 2005 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


SOUTHAVEN-A group of individuals, businesses and churches is busily preparing for a benefit to help Hurricane Katrina evacuees on Thursday, Sept. 8 from 5-9 p.m. at Snowden Grove Park. The event, "A Night Out on Southaven," sponsored by the Northwest Mississippi Association of Realtors (NWMAR), features free dinner and live entertainment for evacuees and a $5 cover charge for local residents, which will go back into a fund to help survivors.

The event is designed to help meet short and long-term needs. There will be a donations trailer for everything from clothing to snack food, and a job finder booth where Brannon Professionals and A-One Staffing will help pair evacuees in jobs for free.

DeSoto County Schools will have a booth to help displaced students enroll in school. The Mississippi Nurses Association will have a booth where they will answer medical and health questions.

Mothers Of Pre-Schoolers (MOPS) will have a booth where they will provide diaper-changing facilities and other services for young children. Representatives from many churches through the area will be on hand to speak to anyone who would like to talk to a pastor or priest.

Dinner will be provided free of charge to evacuees by area restaurants, including Huey's, Dan Brown BBQ, Pizza Hut, and Quizno's, and Coca-Cola is donating 2,300 20-oz. bottles of Coke Zero. Once inside, local residents are welcome to purchase dinner from any of the food vendors. Proceeds will go to the survivors' fund being collected by NWMAR.

Live entertainment will be provided by local R&B/rock band, "The Fabulous Stealers," the Bill King and the King's Band, New Life Ministries Praise Group, Cornerstone Praise and Worship Group and the award-winning DeSoto Central High School Marching Band.

Former newscaster Jamey Tucker, current owner and founder of Raindog Pictures, will serve as Master of Ceremonies, along with WMC 790 morning show co-host Dennis Fuller.

The young and the young-at-heart can enjoy moonbounce inflatables and slides from Presto Parties and Party Bounce. Kidz Kountry will provide a petting zoo, pony rides and train rides.

The Memphis RiverKings will be on hand with forward Ken Goetz, mascots, and the Slapshot inflatable skill game. Several antique cars will also be on display for vintage automobile fans to check out.

"There are a lot of hands in this," said Lisa Burnett, who spearheads the event. "So many people, businesses and churches have come together to make this night happen. We all feel so deeply about this.

"It started because we wanted to give the evacuees a night out somewhere to get their mind off their problems, but it's really about follow-through. These people are going to be part of our community, whether it's a couple of weeks or years, and we want to help them get back to normal. They've lost everything, and if the shoe was on the other foot, we would need the same. I am so thankful to the many people who have worked to make this happen."



Central Hockey League Stories from September 7, 2005


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