Xplorers Will Spotlight Baddour Center at Saturday Game

Published on July 9, 2003 under arenafootball2 (af2)
Memphis Xplorers News Release


SOUTHAVEN, Miss.—The Memphis Xplorers will help raise funds for the Baddour Center this Saturday featuring the non-profit organization at their July 12th game, with the kickoff set for 7 p.m. at the DeSoto Civic Center. Lynn Newsome of "The Miracles," a nationally renowned choir whose members are all part of the Baddour Center, will sing the national anthem. The Baddour Center cheerleaders will also be present to help cheer on the Xplorers team. To buy tickets to the Xplorers' game this Saturday against the Arkansas Twisters and help raise money for the Baddour Center, call Kara Smith at 662-562-9666.

The Baddour Center is a residential community in Senatobia, Miss. for adults with mild and moderate retardation. Residents are able to live by themselves and take care of themselves in a group home setting, go to social activities, work and play in a secure environment on 150 acres of land donated by the Baddour family.

Adrienne Germano, Xplosion dance team captain and choreographer, said the Xplosion will cheer for a portion of the game in the stands with the Baddour Center cheerleaders.

"The girls on the team look forward to doing things like this," Germano said. "It's part of their job as a cheerleader to be role models in the community. It's what makes it rewarding."

Newsome, a veteran "Miracles" performer, will perform the national anthem before the game. "The Miracles" have toured all over the Continental United States. The group has sung for several presidents, appeared on "The 700 Club" TV show, and performed at the Special Olympics World Games, the Kennedy Center and the Crystal Cathedral.

Due to a heart condition, Newsome was recently restricted from touring with the group although he still performs often locally.

"He was heartbroken when he had to be pulled off the traveling circuit," Baddour Center Senior Development Manager Kara Smith said. "It was a big part of his life, and he has a beautiful voice."

Newsome is a day client, meaning that he does not live on the Baddour Center campus. He participates in any and all center activities that he enjoys, however, and works at the center's packaging facility.

"The day client care option is a way for us to provide an opportunity for individuals in the surrounding communities to interact, work, socialize and lead expressive and successful lives in an environment not offered to them in their community," Smith said. "Most day clients would not have an option to grow positively in these areas without the Baddour Center."

The Baddour Center's packaging facility services three separate companies, one of whom is FedEx. Residents process from 3 to 4 million air bills a month; create 1,500 to 2,000 international and domestic welcome kits a day, which new FedEx customers receive upon joining; and package 26 other products for the company. Last year the facility won the Superior Supplier Excellence Award from FedEx, based on a score card from a FedEx vendors survey testing overall satisfaction.

"Our primary goal is to promote the self-sufficiency and self-worth of individuals with mental retardation," Smith said. "The Baddour Center is a place where men and women with mental retardation can lead lives of dignity and hope. Residents can achieve goals, develop life-long friendships and reach their God-given potential."

The Baddour Center will raise money by selling normally-priced $12 game tickets for $10 to the Saturday, July 12th game against the Arkansas Twisters at 7 p.m. at the DeSoto Civic Center. Five dollars from each ticket sold by the center will be returned to them via a special check presentation. For tickets, call Smith at 662-562-9666. For more information on the center visit the Web at www.baddour.org.

· Who: Xplorers arena football team and the Baddour Center

· What: The Xplorers will spotlight the non-profit organization to help raise money and awareness during their game against the Arkansas Twisters.

· When: Saturday, July 12th at 7 p.m.

· Where: DeSoto Civic Center

· Cost: Normally priced $12 game tickets will be sold for $10, with the Baddour Center receiving $5 from each ticket they sell.

· How to get more information: Call Kara Smith at 662-562-9666. For more information on the center visit the Web at www.baddour.org.

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