Moylan Premier FSC Gives Family 'Shimmer of Light'
by Joanne Vassallo Jamrosz, special to U.S. Figure Skating Online |
After learning that a family in the club had fallen on hard times--the result of the father having suffered injuries years ago in a football accident at the University of Nebraska--the Moylan Premier FSC presented "Shimmers of Light" on Saturday, Sept. 25 at the Moylan IcePlex.
On April 21, 1976, Grosvenor "Budge" Porter was practicing with his beloved Nebraska Cornhusker team when he made a crashing tackle. Porter's neck was broken on the play, and he was instantly paralyzed him from the neck down, thus ending his dream of following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather and playing for the Scarlett and Cream.
The Budge Porter Foundation was set up this year to help Porter and other players living with debilitating injuries incurred from the game of football.
Today, Porter lives in Valley, Neb., with his wife, Diane, and their three children: Claire, 16, and twins Brooke and Bret, 9. Claire trained as a skater at the Premier FSC, and Diane directed the club's learn-to-skate program.
"The Moylan IcePlex was our second home. We could not imagine a more fitting name for this special ice show-'Shimmers of Light'-to benefit our family," Diane said. "This show and the skaters' performances illuminated our needs, and brought light and hope for our future."
The event was well attended and raised more than $2,000 for the family.
Upper-level club skaters paid a small fee to debut their regional championships programs in front of an audience.
"We had an opening and closing number that was well put together by the choreographers of the Moylan Premier Figure Skating Club, and we included our Basic Skills skaters as a bonus, so they got a chance to participate with the high-level skaters," skating director Jason Dilworth said.
The show was directed by the club's artistic director James W. Baker and produced by the new Moylan Premier FSC. All money from 2 p.m. on (including all public skate sessions) went to the Budge Porter Foundation.
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"The name of the show, 'Shimmers of Light,' brought just a touch of light to the lives of the people around us in our community by showing them we can come together and make a positive experience for everyone, and have fun doing it," Dilworth said.
Prizes were also part of the celebration. Skaters who brought in the most audience members were eligible to win an iPod nano, and the University of Nebraska donated a signed football. Several other skating and non-skating items were featured in a raffle to raise additional money, and there was face painting for the younger set. The day wrapped with an open family skate.
"The show was a great opportunity to demonstrate that in tough times people can come together for the greater good," Dilworth said. "Skaters can show their talents and get their programs out there in front of an audience prior to regionals and feel good they helped a member of their community. They know that in their lives there are things more important than skating, but that skating can be used as a tool to make life better. They are part of something bigger than themselves."
Budge Porter is grateful for the new life he was given as a husband and father.
"These kids are my whole life, and I couldn't be more proud of them," he said. "There will be no more miracles coming my way. I already have three."
Dilworth was most proud that the event brought attention to the Porter family and the struggles it endures every day, and brought a new skating community together at the same time.
"The focus was not individual but for the greatest good of the community," Dilworth said. "All were pleased to see skaters that would not normally skate together come together for such a good cause."
For Diane Porter it was a gesture that touched her entire family.
"Our family has for many years been involved in figure skating in the Omaha area," Diane said. "When you become involved in skating, it is like a second family. We were so touched that this skating family saw our need and wanted to help. We are very blessed and owe a great deal of gratitude to all these caring people."
