Representatives from the Mackinac County Child Protection Roundtable present a check for $1,000 to the St. Ignace Recreation Department to provide free skating to families one Friday each month through March at Little Bear East Arena. Pictured are (from left) board member Tonee Therrian, treasurer Jeanette O'Rourke, Recreation Director Scott Marshall, and Roundtable coordinator Mary Swiderski. The free skating and pizza party will be offered from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on the third Friday of each month, beginning November 20. Fab Friday open skating and pizza is offered by the city on all other Fridays at a charge of $5 per person for ice time, skate rental, pizza, and soda pop. Families who come to Fab Friday, the open skating and pizza party offered by the St. Ignace Recreation Department, Friday, November 20, will be treated to free skate rental, ice time, and pizza, owing to $1,000 in funds donated by the Mackinac County Child Protection Roundtable.

The organization decided October 20 to fund a free skating day at Little Bear East Arena once a month through the winter as a way to bring families together in an active and fun environment. The free skating days will be on the third Friday of each month, starting November 20 and ending March 19.

Representatives from the Roundtable said their organization's goal is to prevent abuse and neglect, and to provide opportunities that help keep families together. Jeanette O'Rourke, the treasurer for the Roundtable board, said the idea was brought up at a Strategic Alliance for Health planning meeting last month, when that group was looking for lowcost opportunities to increase physical activity in the community.

The Child Protection Roundtable oversees the Children's Trust Fund, which receives $10,000 from the state each year. The organization matches this with money from the local Ice Follies and other fundraisers, which help pay for donations like the one made to the recreation department.

"It is such a beautiful facility," Recreation Director Scott Marshall said of the ice rink, "and it is so under-used. It's a great opportunity for families to come down for some great entertainment, have fun with other families, and eat some pizza for no cost to them."

The city department already offers Fab Fridays every Friday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., charging $5 per person for ice time, skate rentals, pizza, and soda pop.