More than 300 people donned skates and glided towards a win for a regional children’s treatment centre and local skating oval.
Five Counties Children’s Centre and the Ontario Speed Skating Oval’s recent fundraising event, Candlelights for Kids, generated more than $1,800 for the two organizations.
The event featured an evening outdoor family skate at the Ontario Speed Skating Oval in Lakefield.
“From the perspective of Five Counties Children’s Centre and the Ontario Speed Skating Oval, we really appreciate the community support and are pleased at the results,” Five Counties spokesperson Bill Eekhof told kawarthaNOW. “This was the first-ever Candelights For Kids event, and with the winter that was this year, it was touch and go whether conditions would even be cold enough to have ice.”
“The event had to be postponed a week to see if things would improve weather-wise,” Eekhof added. “Fortunately, we did get a cold snap that created perfect outdoor skating conditions to accommodate the evening candlelight skating fundraiser on February 17. With more than 300 skaters who came out for the two skating times at the event, it proved to be a really good turnout.”
The event raised $1,840 that will be split between the two groups to support their work.
For Five Counties, the money will go directly to its Building Abilities for Life (BAL) campaign that helps reduce wait times and provide priority treatment services like speech and occupational therapies for children and youth in the region.
“We are thrilled to have partnered with the Ontario Speed Skating Oval for this family fun event that supports the life-changing work that we do every day,” said Lyn Giles, director of fund development with Five Counties, in a media release.
“We’re extremely grateful to all the skaters, volunteers, staff, donors and others who came out to make the event a success. We look forward to working with the Ontario Speed Skating Oval to making this an annual fundraiser.”
Participants skated on the outdoor 400-metre, natural-ice oval, illuminated by lights. This event was sponsored by Adventure Outfitters, Brants Basics, Havelock Metal, Grady’s Feet Essentials, Paluski Boats and Ruttle Group.
“The Oval organizes family-friendly fundraising events each year, and working with Five Counties to hold the first-ever Candelights For Kids was a perfect fit,” said Graham Wilkins, Ontario Speed Skating Oval director, in the release. “We’re grateful to our volunteers for helping us get the ice ready in time for the event, and we look forward to working with Five Counties to grow the event in the future.”
The Ontario Speed Skating Oval offers recreational skaters and speed skaters the opportunity to skate outdoors on the track, which is now closed for the season.
