Dear Friends,  

As I began to think about this year’s annual appeal, I was reminded of the wonderful support we received during the past year and the many reasons our supporters give so generously.

So I asked world-famous skating coach Tamara Moskvina about her reasons for giving, and she wrote back from Moscow that she gives to “the spirit of past generations of figure skaters” and “a sport that embraces art, music, character development, and international communication.” She added, “When I give my support to the Museum, I give my heart to help pass on this knowledge, spirit, devotion and love of the sport from one generation to another.”

Intrigued, I asked other friends of the Museum. Gary Sturm of the Smithsonian Institution wrote, “Beyond the adrenaline rush of shows and competitions, the Museum is a permanent forum for reflection and inspiration. I support the Museum because it enriches the lives of so many.”  

And Doug Wilson of ABC/ESPN Sports was equally eloquent, writing that “figure skating is a celebration of sport, art, and drama. Like no other sport, it embodies every aspect of the human spirit…what it means to compete, create and communicate emotionally through movement, music and artistry.” He noted that “caring about figure skating’s past through the Museum’s work helps celebrate and guarantee its future for those who are yet to come.”

It became clear that figure skating means different things to different people, but there were some common themes that seemed to capture the essence of skating and the Museum’s work. I was struck by the great passion for and pride in skating’s legacy, and the desire to keep that legacy alive. It was also gratifying that so many people expressed such conviction about the broader cultural contributions made by figure skating.

We are proud and thankful that we have so many wonderful supporters, and hope this year to have even more. We are also proud that we are able to preserve the special and everyday moments of figure skating that mean so much to so many people. Robert Mock of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania said it succinctly, “The World Figure Skating Museum & Hall of Fame is the one special place that preserves the legacy of skating for every person who ever laced up their skates to pursue the dream of excellence.”

Preserving the memories of figure skating is expensive. It is a challenge to sustain the financial support necessary, but with your help I know we will continue to be successful. And this year we have help…….for new or “stretched” gifts, the Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado will make a matching gift! And not only that, this year you can donate online by going to www.worldskatingmuseum.org.  Just look for the “Donate Now” button.

So please join us; your contribution is important. As Richard Zamboni said, “Our financial assistance helps the Museum keep this rich history alive.”

Warm Regards,

Beth Davis

Executive Director

P.S.   Your gift will be prominently acknowledged in our annual report, SKATING magazine and in the Museum gallery; for gifts of $100 or more, we’ll send you the third in our series of Museum coffee mugs. Thanks for your support!