Ice Skating for Everyone: Making a difference in the Lives of Underserved Youths

Dr, Norman Vincent Peale once commented "To be successful is to be helpful, caring, constructive; to make everything and everyone you touch  a bit better."

Ice Skating for Everyone was founded in 2019 through the efforts of Emily Kelting, former professional figure skater and coach who held a deep belief that ice skating should be accessible to children of all colors and income levels. Partnering with Horizons @ New Canaan County school and Darien CT Ice House, she and a like minded group of volunteers brought her vision to life.

After Covid barriers cleared sufficiently, Ice Skating for Everyone was relaunched in February of 2022 at Sono Ice House. As word spread, sessions were added  as well as the joy and satisfaction from learning a new skill and taking those first solo glides. Life lessons about getting up when you fall, practicing to perfect a skill, and being able to express feelings in a positive, creative way were also emphasized along the way. 

Their mission is to bridge cultural and economic gaps in Fairfield County by providing free ice skating lessons to underserved children. Teen mentors benefit  by sharing their talents and forming friendships with the young skaters and their families. Our professional instructors experience the joy of giving back to a sport they love.  It's a win-win-win!  

It also provides an answer to the question "What happens to skates at Skaters Landing Greenwich that are still in good condition and safely usable on the ice, that don't get sold?"  They are gladly donated and find a home with the skaters involved in Ice Skating for Everyone. Mark and the staff of Skaters Landing have always tried to give back to the community. Whether though synchronized skating teams, sponsorships, or active participation in groups like this which encourage the athleticism, creativity, and comradery of skating.

Most recently, Ice Skating for Everyone provided 15 weeks of free skating lessons and free equipment for 15 underserved 6-8 year old boys and girls from the Horizons Program at New Canaan Country School--who live in Stamford or Norwalk. 2022 graduates will be continuing with their lessons in other "Learn to Skate" and youth hockey programs, and a new group of 16 first and second graders will start 12 weeks of lessons to discover the joy of feeling wings beneath their feet! 

There is also a teen mentorship program and Sunday Open Skate. 

Please join us in creating a caring community with no regards to race or economic status. Through Ice Skating for Everyone, the teens know the satisfaction of sharing their skating talents with those who wouldn’t have otherwise had the opportunity to learn to skate. And their lives and attitudes are changed in the process. Additional info at  www.iceskating4everyone.com.

 Ice Skating for Everyone Charitable Fund is housed at the New Canaan Community Foundation.

DONATE HERE ! https://secure.givelively.org/donate/new-canaan-community-foundation-inc/ice-skating-for-everyone-charitable-fund