Nearly two dozen kids who live at the Union Rescue Mission in downtown Los Angeles were able to learn how to ice skate at the L.A. Live rink Wednesday.
The L.A. Kings, LAPD, AEG, and Marriott all put on the event. KNX News’ Jon Baird spoke to Tai Babilonia, an Olympic figure skater, who was at the ice rink with the kids.
“It's my way of paying it forward with doing what I do best and that's being on my skates,” she said. “But it's 20 kids who haven't tried this before, so it's the laughter. You know, there were a couple of spills today, one right on her tailbone, but she was fine. You know, it teaches you life lessons, you fall, you get up and it's so rewarding”
Babilonia said she even spotted a star — a little girl skating around all on her own, still working on her balance.
LAPD Deputy Chief Marc Reina said most of the kids have never been on ice skates before. He said he saw a few future hockey players in the mix.
“They did great, you know, they first come in, they’re a little intimidated. Most of them have never seen ice before or snow or ice skates, but working with our officers and our members of our ice hockey team, they build that confidence and by the end of the day, they don't want to get off the ice,” Reina said.
This is the fifth year that this event has been held.
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