TRURO - Chelsey Swan stood proudly on her new skates, held out her hand to her big sister and giggled as they glided on the ice together.
Swan, 10, of Bible Hill, was one of 100 people who enjoyed a Let's Learn To Skate Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colchester County skating party on Wednesday night at the Colchester Legion Stadium. The skate was made possible by the donation of 50 sharpened pairs of skates from Canadian Tire's JumpStart program, which is a national initiative that helps children participate in organized sports and recreation. The average cost per pair of skates was $50.
"This is great. I get to hang out with my awesome big sister and it's special because I don't get to go skating a lot," said Swan, who has been skating for about a year.
Marilyn Hutchinson, of Denmark, has been matched with Swan in the program since October. Hutchinson said yesterday was the first time in 15 years she had been on skates and now that the duo have had the opportunity to skate together it will probably become a holiday tradition for them.
"This is just as rewarding for me as it is for her ... and it makes me feel more a part of the program and group," said Hutchinson.
Laughter echoed throughout the rink as young and old skated along, some hand-in-hand, others gripping the sides for balance while more experienced skaters whizzed by while Christmas music played.
Bible Hill's Kylie McCallum, 10, and her dad Curtis Lemon couldn't wait to get out on the ice.
"It's good because I get to go skating and that's good because it's good exercise," said McCallum.
Lemon said although his daughter already had a pair of skates, they are older and the new ones are definitely a blessing.
"I'm glad to see she's included in this because we skate often," he said.
Michelle Misener, Big Brothers Big Sisters' executive director, was thrilled with the first-time event.
"Forty of the 50 kids who got the skates haven't been on skates or haven't been on them for a long time," said Misener.
"It's great because it gets the kids active and they are all very, very appreciative ... you can see their eyes light up. It's amazing that as the economy goes down the support gets stronger from the community."
Misener said the same group will participate in four more skates during the next two months.
Bart Hinze, owner of the Truro Canadian Tire, attended to witness how much the store's donation meant to the children.
"It feels great to help the kids out ... (they) are having a ball," Hinze said.
mchiasson@trurodaily.com
