PITTSTON — Karel Zubris had an idea about National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day (LEAD) on Jan. 9 that led to a fundraising skate at Revolution Ice Centre where money raised would go to local police departments.
The skating fundraiser took place on Saturday, Jan. 12 with two sessions, one in the afternoon and one in the evening. Approximately 90 skaters participated in both sessions where the Luzerne County Chiefs of Police Association, the Northeast PA Chiefs of Police Association and the Lackawanna County Chiefs of Police Association benefited from the event.
Zubris, whose background is in communications, is an ice skating instructor at the Revolution Ice Centre.
“When I presented the idea to Revolution owner Jody Codaro, he thought it was a great idea,” Zubris said. “All law enforcement officers were invited to skate free.”
Traveling from Hazleton to participate in the skating fundraiser was 40-year-old Cpl. Keith McAlarney, of the Hazleton Police Deptartment. A 15-year veteran of the force, McAlarney brought his wife Alison, daughter Kaitlyn, 10, and twins Connor and Gavin, 6, for the afternoon skate.
“My wife Alison read about the event on Facebook,” McAlarney said. “It’s a nice event and my kids enjoy skating. Connor has a good time and he really wanted to do it so I figured we’d bring the whole family down and do it.”
It was Connor’s first time on skates as he looked forward to getting on the ice.
All of the McAlarney children took to the ice with skating aids called gliders with Zubris helping along.
Zubris, of Plains, is currently a nutrition educator at Penn State Extension, West Pittston, and is a Luzerne County Sports Hall of Fame inductee for her ice skating contribution.
“This was such an honor to be a part of the fundraiser and help promote law enforcement initiatives for local families of our officers,” Zubis said. “So many of us know a law enforcement officer or are related to one. We look forward to doing this again next year.”
