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Susan Wessling |
Sometimes it is easy to lose sight of the big picture. But when Hurricanes
Katrina and Rita ripped through the states along the Gulf Coast this August
and September, it was impossible to ignore the enormous tragedy as it unfolded
before the world's eyes. Bringing destruction unprecedented in the area,
Hurricane Kartina threw the first devastating punch. With a death toll of
over 1,100, it is the deadliest storm in U.S. history. Hurricane Rita made an
unimaginable situation even worse. The cost of cleanup from these two storms
is in the billions, and the impact on people's lives is equally as large.
After these tragedies, many people literally were left with only the
clothes on their backs. That's why when reigning Olympic champion Sarah
Hughes reached out to Hurricane Katrina victims at the Marshall's SkateFest in
Houston, Texas, the effort was noteworthy. Hughes, in a collaborative effort
with U.S. Figure Skating and Marshalls, made a thoughtful donation: backpacks
filled with school supplies to be given children living in the Houston area
after being displaced by Hurricane Katrina.
Hughes unveiled the donation at the Sugar Land Ice & Sports Center
before Sugar Land Mayor David Wallace and Humble Independent School District's
Michael Sullivan as well as the many participants at the Skatefest. The 1984
Olympic silver medalist Kitty Carruthers and 2004 World Junior bronze medalist
Katy Taylor also gave a helping hand. They donated their time, alongside
other volunteers, to help fill the 250 backpacks with welcome notes and school
supplies. When tragedy strikes, many experts believe getting back to a normal
routine, including attending school, can help children in their healing
process. This donation is a step in that direction.
U.S. Figure Skating has played a role in supporting victims of the two
hurricanes in other ways as well. The organization and the Xcel Energy Center
donated $2 from every ticket sold to the 2005 Campbell's International Figure
Skating Classic in St. Paul, Minn., held in early October. The proceeds were
given to the United Way Local Recovery Fund, which aids survivors arriving in
the Minnesota area.
Member clubs of U.S. Figure Skating have held fund-raising activities for
hurricane survivors. The organization encouraged its clubs to explore having
an exhibition to raise funds for the Red Cross or the Bush-Clinton Katrina
Fund. Many skating clubs have heeded that call.
Skaters from the North Atlantic Figure Skating Club performed in an
exhibition in October as part of the grand re-opening of a rink in Falmouth,
Maine. The events featured a Family Skating Night with all proceeds going to
the American Red Cross to help support its ongoing relief efforts along the
Gulf Coast.
In a statement released to the press, Kevin Sackville, ice arena manager at
Family Ice Center, said, "As a nonprofit organization ourselves, we understand
the importance of working within the community to deliver services that can
often change lives. The American Red Cross works on the front lines of
disasters across the country to provide shelter, food, counseling and other
assistance to those in need."
Meanwhile, in Massachusetts, the New England Figure Skating Club presented
its annual New England Regional competitors' exhibition on Sept. 30 at the New
England Sports Center. Instead of admission, the club requested people bring
a nonperishable food item or make a monetary donation to the Red Cross
Disaster Relief Fund.
These may seem like small efforts, but if you add them all up, a lot can be
done. In this time of despair for many U.S. residents, everyone can make a
difference. Figure skaters, from the elite level down to the rank and file,
are doing their part, and IFS salutes all of you
who have given your time and money to this worthy cause!
Susan Wessling
Editor in Chief
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