Ice Bridges Launches Program to Help Talented Young Athletes Defray the Costs of Competitive Figure Skating

    SAN FRANCISCO, CA, July 13, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The San Francisco Bay Area is home to some of the most talented young figure skaters today. However, the high costs of competitive figure skating could potentially prevent the future Kristi Yamaguchis, Brian Boitanos, and Peggy Flemings from realizing their dreams. Today, Ice Bridges has launched the Ice Bridges Program to ensure that promising, but financially challenged athletes in the San Francisco Bay Area have the resources to reach their full potential in the sport of competitive figure skating.

An all-volunteer, community-based organization, Ice Bridges recently has been designated a 501(c)3 tax-exempt, non-profit corporation, which increases its ability to secure contributions from donors and sponsors. Ice Bridges uses the funds it raises to directly finance essential skating expenses--such as ice time, competition and test fees, choreographer fees, membership dues, costumes, training and transportation. Additionally, Ice Bridges serves as an advocate for skaters, helping them to gain access to donated equipment and services, as well as receive assistance from private and corporate sponsors.

Figure skaters from nine counties in the San Francisco Bay Area are eligible to apply for the Ice Bridges Program: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano and Sonoma.

In conjunction with the launch, Ice Bridges also has debuted a new Web site at www.icebridges.org. To learn more about participating in the Ice Bridges Program or contributing to Ice Bridges, visit the Web site or email [email protected].

About Ice Bridges
Ice Bridges is an all-volunteer, community-based, 501(c)3 non-profit corporation dedicated to helping talented young athletes in the San Francisco Bay Area who love figure skating and demonstrate dedication to the sport but face financial challenges. Through the generous contributions of donors, sponsors and volunteers, Ice Bridges provides the funds along with donated services and supplies to help promising competitive figure skaters defray the costs of the sport. For more information, visit www.icebridges.org.

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