Hundreds Enjoy Inclusion On Ice At Wheeling Park Ice Rink
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WHEELING - It may not have been the Olympics or U.S. hockey players involved, but the Inclusion on Ice event at Wheeling Park Sunday saw its own brand of miracles.
The general public - including those with disabilities - was invited to participate in an assisted free skate Sunday with help from the Wheeling Nailers and Wheeling Lightningbirds women's hockey team.
The event - orchestrated by Easterseals Rehabilitation Center in Wheeling, the Augusta Levy Learning Center and the Wheeling Nailers - included a number of other events, like a sled hockey exhibition and a resource fair, which was new for this year.
D.J. Abisalih, broadcaster and director of media relations for the Wheeling Nailers, said Inclusion On Ice is "one of our biggest community events the Wheeling Nailers do each year," and one they most look forward to doing.
"When we all got together with the Augusta Levy Center and Easterseals, and see how this dream has become reality," he explained. "You see our players - they are on the ice everyday. But you also see folks out there that maybe have been afraid to step on the ice for whatever reason. They haven't had the confidence, and they don't feel like they belong.
"And today, they see you really do belong," he continued. "You can see the sparkle in their eyes when they get on the ice, and the excitement they have for professional hockey players. Skating with them is just a heartwarming activity for them to see."
Abisalih said the community support for the event "is above what you could ever imagine." He thanked the hockey players, sponsors and volunteers who participated.
Also involved with organizing the event was Betsy Bethel-McFarland, marketing director for Easterseals in Wheeling. She reported more than 70 volunteers turned out to help out on Sunday.
"To me, that's very heartwarming, because it shows the support folks in our community have for those with disabilities - though this is also open to people without disabilities," she said.
A first-ever resource fair was included as part of this year's Inclusion on Ice. A total of 16 organizations were represented, and provided information about local programs available for those with physical and mental disabilities, Bethel-McFarland added.
"The community has really turned out," she said. "I think everyone is really enjoying themselves with the free skate, the resource fair upstairs and all the adaptive equipment we have. The Nailers are helping the kids out on the ice, pushing wheelchairs and assisting those with walkers. The Lightningbirds are here, and so are the Boy Scouts. "
She noted "Inclusion on Ice is growing." The first year, more than 100 participants signed up, while more than 400 registered last year. She expected Sunday's numbers to reach at least 400.
Following the free skate, there was a sled hockey game involving members of the Wheeling Nailers and Lightningbirds and the Mighty Penguins sled hockey team. Sled hockey is an adaptive form of hockey in which players sit on a single-bladed sled and use short sticks to propel across the ice and shoot the puck.
There was free popcorn, water, hot chocolate and skate rental to those who participated in the Inclusion On Ice. Those staying for a question and answer session later with the Nailers and Lightingbirds after the game also received free pizza.
During the day, Jessica Rine works as vice president of foundation and community relations for both WVU Medicine Wheeling and Reynolds Memorial hospitals. But she also is a member of the Wheeling Lightningbirds, and on Sunday she was one of six volunteers from the team participating.
"This is something near and dear to my heart," Rine said. "Easterseals has also been a great partner, so the Lightningbirds were excited to volunteer today.
"We started the Lightningbirds because we wanted to include women and girls in the sport of hockey, and today is also about inclusion - giving people from all walks of life a chance to be out on the ice, as well."
Easterseals President and CEO Eric Filberto was among those standing and watching those on the ice.
"This is everybody's favorite event, as you can tell by the turnout," he said. "The Nailers, Easterseals and Augusta Levy are great community partners and we are very excited to have this event."