On Sunday, the Los Angeles Kings took over the back lot of Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City for their annual “Tip-A-King” major fundraiser -- a chance for Kings fans to get up-close and personal with the players, coaches, alumni and broadcasters.
Funds raised will benefit the Kings Care Foundation which provides educational and recreational opportunities for children throughout Greater Los Angeles. Proceeds will also be benefiting Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) and the Kings Bloodmobile, which collects life-saving blood for the most seriously ill and injured children at CHLA.
Fans purchased either a general admission or VIP ticket to enter the event and then bought “Tip-A-King Dollars” to make a five to ten dollar donation at each station along the street. VIP’s were treated to a Wolfgang Puck-catered lunch buffet with open bar.
There were discount tickets available for a walking studio tour of the JEOPARDY! and Wheel of Fortune stages and post-production facilities. Fans also had an opportunity to bid on autographed Kings, NHL and sports memorabilia that were being auctioned off.
Attendees were bidding on Rogie Vachon’s game-worn, throw-back, purple-and-gold hockey gloves, among many others.
Parents and their kids were excited about the opportunity to get autographs and photos and test their skills against the players and broadcasters.
At one station, goalies Jonathan Quick and Bernier were daring fans to attempt to score a goal on them. At another, Kings enforcer Kyle Clifford, was throwing down the gloves and challenging the fans to a “fight.” When asked if anybody literally hit him, Clifford said, “one little kid.” He just smiled when asked if he pounded the kid into the ground…of course he didn’t.
Many women lined up to jump into the photo booth with Jarret Stoll and kids donned full goalie gear to see if they could stop Jack Johnson’s “slapshot.”
Fans also enjoyed calling the play-by-play with TV and radio broadcasters Bob Miller, Jim Fox, Nick Nickson and Daryl Evans. Fox was also asked to be the live auctioneer at the VIP luncheon. He missed his true calling.
Head coach Terry Murray got to play the part of Pat Sajak on Wheel of Fortune and fans were challenged by sharpshooter Justin Williams to see if they could hit the targets in all four corners of the goal.
If that wasn’t enough, the Kings Ice Crew was also on hand demonstrating the art of shoveling ice during game timeouts while mascot Bailey was high-fiving the kids.
Being on the Sony lot while experiencing the Kings up close was a fantasy-turned-reality for fans in attendance…and all for a laudable cause.
For more information about “Tip-A-King,” go to:
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