CENTRAL PARK, Manhattan (PIX11) -- When you learn to figure skate, you learn lots of life lessons as well. For example, when you fall down, you must get right back up and try again.
More than 1,190 people attended the 26th annual Soul on Ice Winter Skating Party at Wollman Rink in Central Park on Sunday. Each attendee brought $20 to the fundraising event to benefit a program called Figure Skating in Harlem.
Some of the figure skaters have been in the program for a dozen years, such as 17-year-old Zoe Littles.
“They offered tutoring which helped my grades a lot,” Littles said. “And I’ve made so many friends, my sisterhood, over the years."
More than 200 girls are participating in Figure Skating in Harlem. It was founded 27 years ago by former competitive figure skater Sharon Cohen.
“We had some amazing community leaders and parents,” Cohen said. “We found skates in the church and we started going and it was the Pied Piper effect and the differences I’ve seen in the girls. We make education the most important thing."
Some of those who started in the program as little girls have come back as coaches, such as 21-year-old Ila Epperson, who is grateful for all she learned.
“Not only did I learn to figure skate, I had an array of opportunities for networking,” Epperson said.
Eight-year-old McKenzie Lewis had learned the lesson.
“Once we get on ice, all my fears and worries go away,” McKenzie said. “When I fall down with my sisterhood, we all get back up."
If you want more information, visit the Figure Skating in Harlem website.
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