Wall of dreams

As part of the ‘Show Kids New York’ program, Garden of Dreams and the New York Rangers hosted 150 children from the Police Athletic League of NYC and WHEDco to ice skate at Rockefeller Center on January 14. Upon arrival, the children entered the locker room which quickly buzzed with excitement as they swapped stories of their past experiences ice skating and  how many were looking forward to their first time on the ice.

After strapping on their skates and bundling up in New York Rangers knit hats and gloves, the children entered the rink with little reservation. New York Rangers alumni Ron Duguay and Steve Valiquette as well as several current Rangers’ wives helped the children conquer their fears and work their way off the boards surrounding the rink. Anyone passing through Rockefeller Center could not help but stop and smile looking at all the children gliding across the ice and laughing with their friends. Taking a break intermittently, the skaters enjoyed hot chocolate and cookies rink side.

Towards the end of their visit, all of the children, New York Rangers alumni, and Rangers’ wives gathered in front of the iconic golden Prometheus statue to take a group picture. Smiling ear-to-ear, the children chanted ‘Let’s Go Rangers!’ As they made their way back to the buses, each child received a gift bag filled with New York Rangers items. Not only was it a memorable experience for the children, but everyone involved!