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> Sports > Sports News > Bay State Blades skaters support childrens' charity
Bay State Blades skaters support childrens' charity St. Jude's Childrens Hospital is a center for research and development of catastrophic diseases in children with primarily cancer-related illnesses, and seven local skaters from the Bay State Blades knew the importance. That's why when they were asked to perform in a benefit show in Natick, Mass., to support the hospital they jumped at the chance.
Fifteen year old Ashley Assad of Wilbraham, whose mom, Lisa Tinnirella is the Regional Skating Director for the Bay State Blades, said "it was an honor to be asked to skate in such an event."
The skaters donated their time by taking time out of their regular figure skating training schedules to practice and sharpen their techniques for the event. Fifteen year old LeAnne Lessard of Chicopee added, "Our support in the benefit show was important because Bay State Blades needed the participation of skaters in order to raise funds for the cause."
The parent company of Bay State Blades, Facility Management Corporation (FMC), supplied the ice and the Bay State Blades skaters donated their time so that all proceeds raised could be donated to the hospital.
"The show was quite a success," remarked 15 year old Marissa Tetreault of Springfield. "It was amazing to see the talent in Massachusetts performing together like a large family."
Another local skater and Bay State Blades coach, Becca Pratt of Longmeadow, commented, "It was great to perform for such a wonderful cause and what a performance it was."
"Skating under the spotlights was exciting," exclaimed 10 year old Kayla Mernoff of Longmeadow, "and hearing the crowd's applause when we finished was exciting too."
Fourteen year old Lucia Montalvo also enjoyed skating in the show and added, "The talent of Bay State Blades skaters was amazing and we were able to meet skaters from other area rinks by our participation."
"Coming together, practicing and performing is always a positive experience," explained Bay State Blades coach and West Springfield resident Tylar Ann Suckau, "but when you add being able to put a smile on the face of a child with a catastrophic disease, it makes what we did even more enjoyable."
For more information on becoming a member of the Bay State Blades organization by participating in its Learn to Skate classes for both hockey and figure skating, log onto www.baystateblades.com or contact Tinnirella at 279-1257. Classes will be starting in September in area rinks owned by FMC (Cyr Arena and Smead Arena in Springfield; Fitzpatrick Arena in Holyoke).
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