“Chilling Choreography: Fort Drum Volunteers Bring Joy to the Ice at Local Skating Rink”

FORT DRUM, N.Y. (Jan. 6, 2025) — The ice-skating rink commenced operation on Jan. 5 for residents of Mountain Community Home to relish at Fort Drum, largely due to a team of volunteers dedicated to maintaining its functionality throughout the winter months.

Chris Altman, president of the Resident Advisory Board, engaged with new volunteers prior to the opening to instruct them on the essentials of operating and securing the rink, along with using the manual ice resurfacer.

“We have a significant number of volunteers here who enjoy ice skating and hockey, and they want their children to be able to partake too,” Altman stated. “Therefore, it plays to our advantage, as this is an activity the entire family can enjoy together.”

Approximately 14 family members assisted last year during the rink’s first season, which was sufficient for multiple weeks of public skating and informal hockey games. Following a warm spell over Fort Drum in March, the rink continued to operate for roller skating.

Altman expressed that having a rink instills pride among the residents of Mountain Community Homes due to its entirely volunteer-based operation.

“Without the volunteers, we would not be capable of keeping the rink operational,” he remarked. “However, it has turned out excellently, as we possess a fantastic team of volunteers who are committed to this for the community.”

Jessica Morales relishes a chilly, snowy winter, and mentioned that volunteering at the rink is a chance to encourage individuals to embrace the wintry weather.

“I believe winter and cold temperatures can be rather daunting for some individuals,” she expressed. “Thus, anything we can do to indicate it’s acceptable to step outside, engage with the weather, and perhaps have some enjoyment ought to be promoted.”

Morales stated she eagerly anticipates taking her 3-year-old and 7-year-old onto the ice.

“They’ve participated in some ice skating previously, but, fundamentally, it revolves around nurturing and motivating them to engage in activities they might not experience elsewhere,” she articulated. “You can’t just go anywhere and ice skate outdoors unless you have a rink like this or favorable weather. So why wouldn’t you want to take full advantage of it?”

Morales mentioned she discovered via social media that the rink operates on a volunteer basis and that the community reaps the benefits commensurate with their involvement.

“I found it wonderful that if you wish for your family and friends to enjoy it, then you must assist in sustaining it,” she remarked. “I’m fully supportive of it. If we have this opportunity, I will willingly back it.”

Joe Beardsley and his family relocated to Fort Drum last August, and it didn’t take long for him to discover the rink located off Indigo Way in the Monument Ridge residential area.

“Upon learning about the rink, I thought, ‘This is fantastic,’” he recalled. “When we visited for the first time, it was locked, and I was uncertain about whom to contact to have it opened.”

That’s when Beardsley began volunteering at the rink.

“I would bring my children here during the summer, and I play hockey with some of my neighbors, so we would come here for some roller hockey,” he shared. “I have enrolled my children in hockey this year, making this a means for us to come out and practice a bit.”

His spouse also registered to volunteer, simplifying the task of having one of them unlock the rink in the morning and the other secure it at day’s end.

“It feels rewarding to contribute to something like this to aid the community, providing individuals with enjoyable activities,” Beardsley stated.

Altman noted that extra volunteers are perpetually welcome, and they can reach out to him at www.facebook.com/people/Fort-Drum-Mountain-Community-Homes-Skate-Rink.

Community members seeking additional volunteer opportunities can connect with the Fort Drum Army Volunteer Corps Program at (315) 772-2899, or visit the office located within the Family Resource Center, Bldg. 11042 on Mount Belvedere Boulevard.

(Editor’s Note: This article forms part of a limited series regarding volunteerism at Fort Drum, leading up to National Volunteer Appreciation Month in April.)