43
Skate Zone gives back with fun
BY SHAIYLA B. HAKEEM
AUSTINTOWN
A mob of anxious children, with canned goods in hand, waited in line to enter a community fest that was the first of its kind.
Families flocked to Austintown’s Skate Zone Fun and Event Center for its inaugural Family and Community Fest from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.
The outreach event was free and allowed the community an opportunity to network with local public-safety officials and discover businesses in their area.
Teresa Welton, Skate Zone’s marketing/activity coordinator, said the fun day was all about helping and reaching the community. Organizers wanted to have an event that was family oriented and beneficial to all ages.
“We are just wanting to give back to the community,” explained Welton. “With everything that’s been going on the last few months in our country, and knowing what a loving and giving area we have in the Mahoning Valley, what better way to show it than to have a community day?”
Skate Zone gave out free attraction passes with the donation of two canned food items while providing a fun atmosphere for family enjoyment. More than 500 canned goods were collected and will be given to Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley.
Attractions included roller and blade skating, laser tag in a 2,400-square-foot arena, bashing bumper cars, games in the arcade zone, 10,000 square feet of obstacles in the Web City climbing maze and an outdoor adventure golf course featuring 18 holes.
Vendors present were Great Clips, the Austintown Police Department, Home Savings and Loan, Planet Fitness, Marcos Pizza, Texas Roadhouse, the Public Library, Summit Academy Schools, Target, the Diet Doc of Ohio and Keller Williams Chervenic Realty. Each vendor was passing out informational pamphlets, free goodies and coupons.
Planet Fitness trainer Colin Smedi of Austintown created a no-judgment zone with stretch bands, a BOSU Balance Ball, a TRX Rip Trainer and a 4-pound medicine ball for people to experiment with and exercise their muscle groups.
“This keeps the kids moving around, jumping around and getting their heart rates up, while staying active and having fun,” said Smedi.
The Austintown Police Department provided free children ID cards, processed in less than 60 seconds, which included their photo, biographical information and a fingerprint of their index finger. Helping out was Austintown reserve officer Angelo Pasquale, who believes the ID cards are beneficial for potential emergency situations.
“It’s good for parents to have a card ready and in hand in case something would happen,” explained Pasquale. “That way, they could give it to the police, and we would have all their information ready to go.”
Behind the ID station, Great Clips was stocked with glitter for face-painting, gel for hair styling and mini tiaras for princess hair up-do’s. Six-year-old Joey Sharpe of Austintown had fun playing laser tag and felt like a big boy by getting an ID card, but he was elated to get a new hairdo. Great Clips gave Joey a stylish Mohawk and sprayed it with the colors of his choice.
“I asked for red and blue,” said Joey. “And I think it looks good!”
Welton was pleased with the turnout of the community and grateful for the help of local vendors.
“I’d like to thank all of the vendors who came. They have been so generous with wanting to do things, help out in the area and show unity of the community,” she said. “We plan on this being an annual event.”