Madison Livingston, a former student at HOPE Landing, raised $1,255 in 13 hours on Facebook to throw three ice skating parties at the Murphy’s Art District’s (MAD) ice skating rink over three days for children with cognitive and social disabilities and for those that are not able-bodied.
“I wanted to help the kids know and learn their God given potential,” Livingston said. Livingston, who is a wheelchair user, beamed with joy as she watched other HOPE Landing students and friends have a great time on the ice. She even got on ice several times and her smile radiated as she glided across the rink and interacted with peers and mentors. She said she was very thankful to all that gave and supported her fundraising efforts.
“Madison is very special to us at HOPE Landing,” Kristi Lowery, President and CEO of HOPE Landing said. “I have been working with her since she was a baby and when we founded HOPE Landing almost 15 years ago, she was client number one. That’s her medical record; we see children from birth to 21 years of age and Madison just turned 21 this past August. So now she is a HOPE Landing Alumna and we are extremely proud of her.”
Family members and HOPE Landing staff assisted the children on the rink. They had wheelchair races on the ice and there were also buggies shaped like seals that could be used on the ice that children and students could be pushed on.
The children were not the only ones filled with joy. The laughter of the loved ones of these children also filled the air. The inner child of all in attendance was present at these skate parties.
“When Madison graduated, she wanted to give back to the children of HOPE Landing because they really are a family to each other,” Lowery shared. “Madison’s mother works here at MAD and Madison has had the opportunity to go ice skating.”
Lowery explained that the mother of another HOPE Landing student called MAD to see if the ice skating rink is wheelchair accessible and it was this inquiry that inspired Livingston and her mother to hold the fundraiser and have these parties for Livingston’s peers and friends. They initially only expected to raise enough money for one party but to their pleasant surprise, they raised enough money to do three different parties and give these children and families ample chance to come out and have a great time.
MAD’s ice skating rink is wheelchair accessible, which Lowery said means a great deal to those who are not able-bodied.
“The parties are themed ‘Wheels on Ice’ and it is to give them the opportunity that any other child or adult would have in our community,” Lowery said.
“To have an accessible facility like this and the skating aids available for children out here today that have autism, cognitive and social disabilities, this is a wonderful way for them to come out and socialize just like any other child would. It means the world that our kids are able to experience an activity like ice skating; our kids are just like any other kid and they experience joy just like everyone else,” she added.