"I CAN DO IT! I CAN SKATE"

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That motto is how the Gliding Stars being each week on ice and how they finish their ice show at the end of the season. This saying is the reminder to the Stars that no matter what physical, mental, or emotional challenge(s) they face they can grow in the sport of ice skating!

 

Through ice skating, people can achieve the physical benefits of improved posture and balance, fine and gross motor skills, strengthened muscles, and coordination. The program is inclusive in terms of age, race, gender, and ability. The ages of skaters range from 18 months to senior citizens. Types of disabilities include cerebral palsy, spina bifida, sensory impairments including blindness and deafness, learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, developmental disabilities, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, heart transplant, congenital myopathy, speech impairments, hemophilia, amputation, Williams' Syndrome, cancer, scoliosis, down syndrome, autism, neurological disorders, and other emotional and physical disabilities. Skaters are paired with a volunteer that will engage in assisting them on ice each week and in the ice show. is in the Chapters where the special on-ice activity takes place during a typical 12 to 26 week skating season. At the end of each season, each Chapter provides a publicly-attended ice show to showcase the accomplishments of the participants and volunteers, and to provide the thrill of performing in a public, musical ice-dancing fantasy as incentive for all participants - a goal that inspires each of them during the season.

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The Gliding Stars use adaptive products specially designed and manufactured for their stars to assist them in their skating. These products provide an advantage on the ice for people who otherwise even have trouble standing or walking. Therefore, the products "level the playing field" and provide the opportunity for people with many types of challenges the magic of ice skating, and even ice dancing! 

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Find out more about this great charity at https://glidingstarstoledo.org/

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How to make a charity donation:

Hi Fellow Pezheads! You can help us help the Gliding Stars! To donate charity items for the auction that benefits the organization, please send them to Morgan Rhinehart, 13381 S Eagle Valley Road, Tyrone, PA 16686 or contact us to see if you can give it to us in person at an upcoming PEZ convention or gathering. No donation is too big or too small! Reach out with questions at 814-558-3320 or pezamania1@gmail.com