I am always so proud to say I live in McCauley, especially on days like the annual family Day skating rink party. On February 21, the community rink was full with children, mothers, fathers, uncles, aunties, cousins, and friends, filling the community with lots of laughter and joy.

If you ask what makes me so proud to live here in McCauley, I would tell you that I grew up here. This is my home, I went to Sacred Heart school, and I have also worked right here in the neighbourhood for the last 14 years. My partner Grace and I are raising our two boys here. When my kids come and ask me if they can invite some of their friends who live in another community to come and spend Family Day with them at our rink, it makes me feel proud of McCauley, our home!

Mother Nature was sure on our side. After temperatures dipped to highs of minus twenty five for a couple of weeks, the sun came out and the temperature was a very nice minus six throughout the day. Along with the skating we had music, a bonfire with lots of marshmallows to roast, and presents for the kids. There were plenty of hotdogs, hot chocolate, and treats thanks to the generosity of the Host Lions Club and the City of Champions’ Lions Club.

When my kids come and ask me if they can invite some of their friends who live in another community to come and spend Family Day with them at our rink, it makes me feel proud of McCauley, our home!

For the past four years, the Lions Clubs have come out for the day to volunteer their time to make the hotdogs and hot chocolate. Not only do the Lions Clubs make sure everyone at the rink is fed, they look after the homeless who can come down to the basement of Sacred Heart Church of the First Peoples for a good meal. Over two thousand meals went out at the church alone, along with the five hundred hot dogs at the rink. I would like to say a very special “thank-you” for taking your time on Family Day to help make the day better for everyone in McCauley.

I would also like to thank the following people for all their help on Family Day: David Prodan and Samantha Kriviak from E4C (McCauley Apartments) for all their help organizing the event, helping the kids with skates, the wonderful music, and all of the many other things you did. A big thanks to Father Jim Holland and Sacred Heart Church of the First Peoples for all the gifts for the kids and your support. Also, Chris Leclair, George Sarantis, and Shelly, for all your hard work throughout the day.

If you have any hockey equipment to donate, or would like to help at the rink, please give me a call at (780) 729-4363.