(Chelsea Update would like to thank Tressie Davis for the information and photos in this story.)
On Aug. 9-13, the Chelsea Figure Skating Club’s (CFSC) Showcase team traveled to Santa Rosa, Calif. to compete at Showcase Nationals.
The Redwood Empire Ice Arena, also known as “Snoopy’s Home Ice” hosted the competition. The CFSC girls enjoyed not just the rink and the competition, but the beauty and vibrancy of California’s nature, neighborhoods and people. Returning home, we knew this was a trip our girls would remember for rest of their lives.
When the Northern California wild fires started in October, our girls were immediately concerned for the residents of Santa Rosa. We watched in horror as the news reported total destruction of neighborhoods and parks that we had just fallen in love with during our visit in August.
On Oct. 9, Snoopy’s Home Ice reported that they were closed until further notice due to the fires, and skaters in the area started posting about the loss of their homes. Some of the posts hit particularly hard, like the one by Loki Wasson showing the remains of the family skates after her family’s home was destroyed. The CFSC skaters watched anxiously as the events unfolded, grieving for the families and hoping that the rink might be spared as they know all too well how the ice rink becomes a home away from home.
Ultimately, Snoopy’s Home Ice was spared, but several of the Santa Rosa Figure Skating Club families lost everything.
The CFSC showcase team (girls and parents) decided to pool together their money to donate to the Santa Rosa Figure Skating Club. On Dec. 11, CFSC made a $545 donation to the Go Fund Me set up for the Santa Rosa Figure Skating Club (https://www.gofundme.com/santa-rosa-figure-skating-club), which will be followed up with a card signed by the CFSC Showcase team.
Love and support, from one Figure Skating family to another.
