Skaters First teams with Santa for charity

December 21, 2016 · 0 Comments

By Jake Courtepatte

Santa Claus took time out of his busy schedule this holiday season to strap on his skates and hit the ice at the Stronach Aurora Recreation Complex.

Dozens of skaters joined Santa on Saturday for a Santa Skate and Food Drive, the first run by Skaters First in Aurora of what is to be an annual event.

“We were looking for a fun way to get both kids and parents on the ice, and contribute in some way as well,” said Lindsay Smith Chapman, one of two directors of Skaters First.

Smith Chapman and Deborah Botticella took over the business in July from Lynn Hayzelden, with over fifty years combined experience teaching learn-to-skate programs at all age levels.

Together they employ a cast of professional teachers for a variety of different programs, from learn-to-skate for ages three and up, to intro to figure skating, to power skating.

“We have a great ratio of skaters to instructors, at five to one,” said Chapman.

The food drive brought in enough goods to overflow the table laid out for them, and all were donated to the Aurora Food Pantry.
More information about the program can be found at www.skatersfirst.com.