Making Dreams Come True Free Skating Event

News Release: From: Smile on Down Syndrome Making Dreams Come True is a day the Tri-State will celebrate individuals with disabilities and their contributions to our community. Why: The ABILITIES of EVERY Person Deserve Celebration! March is Disabilities Awareness Month. On Saturday, March 15th, Making Dreams Come True brings together children and adults (with and without disabilities) for a day of enjoyable ice skating. The event is designed for every person’s differing abilities. How: Two Special Olympic skaters perform on the ice along with local skating talent. Some of those local skaters will hit the ice to honor a family member with a disability. Tri-state organizations that work with disabled people have the opportunity to display their information at the event. When: March 15, 2008. The ice skating program starts at 3:00 pm and runs approximately 45 minutes. Open skating is offered until 5:00 pm. for program participants of all skill levels. This event is FREE. Where: Making Dreams Come True takes place at Swonder Ice Arena in Evansville. Who: Making Dreams Come True aims to celebrate differing abilities in our community and to help raise awareness of the challenges individuals with disabilities face. Making Dreams Come True is sponsored by S.M.I.L.E. on Down Syndrome, ARC of Evansville, Laborers Local Union 561 and Southwestern Indiana Building and Construction Trades Council About the Special Olympic Skaters Katie Crawford, 36, is a veteran of skating. She has been in Special Olympics for 28 years. Katie has competed in 9 Special Olympics World Games in 7 different sports. She recently was chosen to run through Beijing and Shanghai, China, carrying the Law Enforcement Torch to the Opening Ceremonies to the 2008 World Summer Games. She currently is the Indianapolis Area Athlete of the Year and is in the running for state athlete. She is also a higher level ice dancer and also enjoys speed skating and alpine skiing. Katie Stamper, 16, is a freshman at Center Grove High School in Greenwood, IN. She just started skating a little over a year ago and it changed her life. She has gained a wonderful confidence and belief in herself she didnt have before. Katie is the youngest of 3 children. She has 1 older brother, Joe, who is 20 and at Miami University of Ohio, and an older sister, Betsy, who is 18 and a freshman at Marian University in Indianapolis. She has 3 Old English Mastiffs that she just LOVES, although she really doesnt like them when they push her over or slobber on her! Katie is kind and considerate, and is especially good with children and older adults. She loves her ice skating and helping her mom.