Mel On Ice
02-19-2009, 12:37 PM
The LOC is pretty proud to make this contribution to our annual get-together. Snipped from the press release I've issued for tomorrow.
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***NEWS RELEASE***
2009 U.S. ADULT FIGURE SKATING CHAMPIONSHIPS NAMES YWCA DOMESTIC CRISIS CENTER AS ITS “COMMUNITY CARES” CHARITY
(February 20, 2009) Grand Rapids, MI – The Greater Grand Rapids Figure Skating Club, host of the 2009 U.S. Adult Figure Skating Championships, has named the YWCA Domestic Crisis Center as its “Adult Skating Community Cares” charity. The championships will be held at the Patterson Ice Center April 22 – 25.
The local organizing committee will be collecting hats, gloves, scarves, undergarments and stuffed toys from competitors and spectators, which will be donated to the Domestic Crisis Center.
“The children who stay at our domestic violence emergency shelter so often show up with nothing more than the clothes on their backs,” says Kelli Langan, director of development and marketing for the YWCA West Central Michigan. “We could certainly make great use of winter gloves, hats, scarves, and we often need undergarments for the moms and older girls in our shelter.”
“The Adult Figure Skating Championships are a time for skaters of all ages and skill levels to get away for a week of friendship, competition and camaraderie,” says Melissa Garland, co-chair of the championships. “One of the traditions at the championships is for competitors to shower one another with gifts such as stuffed toys thrown on the ice. With nearly 500 competitors expected, imagine if everyone gave just one gift, we could do so much to provide comfort in a time of need for women and children in West Michigan.”
There is another, more personal reason why the work of the YWCA resonates with the members of the local organizing committee. “One of our friends and fellow competitors, Charnell Evans, lost his sister last year to domestic violence,” says Garland. “She was murdered by her boyfriend, leaving behind an infant daughter. Our friend is caring for his niece via foster care and is waiting for the adoption to be finalized. His selfless act helped inspire our decision to ask if we can be a part of the work of the YWCA West Central Michigan.”
“The YWCA is thrilled to be included in the upcoming championships in such a meaningful way,” Langan adds.
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***NEWS RELEASE***
2009 U.S. ADULT FIGURE SKATING CHAMPIONSHIPS NAMES YWCA DOMESTIC CRISIS CENTER AS ITS “COMMUNITY CARES” CHARITY
(February 20, 2009) Grand Rapids, MI – The Greater Grand Rapids Figure Skating Club, host of the 2009 U.S. Adult Figure Skating Championships, has named the YWCA Domestic Crisis Center as its “Adult Skating Community Cares” charity. The championships will be held at the Patterson Ice Center April 22 – 25.
The local organizing committee will be collecting hats, gloves, scarves, undergarments and stuffed toys from competitors and spectators, which will be donated to the Domestic Crisis Center.
“The children who stay at our domestic violence emergency shelter so often show up with nothing more than the clothes on their backs,” says Kelli Langan, director of development and marketing for the YWCA West Central Michigan. “We could certainly make great use of winter gloves, hats, scarves, and we often need undergarments for the moms and older girls in our shelter.”
“The Adult Figure Skating Championships are a time for skaters of all ages and skill levels to get away for a week of friendship, competition and camaraderie,” says Melissa Garland, co-chair of the championships. “One of the traditions at the championships is for competitors to shower one another with gifts such as stuffed toys thrown on the ice. With nearly 500 competitors expected, imagine if everyone gave just one gift, we could do so much to provide comfort in a time of need for women and children in West Michigan.”
There is another, more personal reason why the work of the YWCA resonates with the members of the local organizing committee. “One of our friends and fellow competitors, Charnell Evans, lost his sister last year to domestic violence,” says Garland. “She was murdered by her boyfriend, leaving behind an infant daughter. Our friend is caring for his niece via foster care and is waiting for the adoption to be finalized. His selfless act helped inspire our decision to ask if we can be a part of the work of the YWCA West Central Michigan.”
“The YWCA is thrilled to be included in the upcoming championships in such a meaningful way,” Langan adds.