Penn Skates to Host Red, White and Blue New Year’s Eve Party: Roller Celebration Set to Honor U.S. Service Members Working in Iraq

By Chris Rosenblum, The Centre Daily Times, State College, Pa., The Centre Daily Times, State College, Pa.

Dec. 29–Hours before any other Americans, revelers at Penn Skates will usher in the new year.

The Benner Township roller-skating rink is planning a celebration for 5 p.m. Saturday — which is midnight for U.S. troops fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. Complete with a red, white and blue balloon drop, it’s part of a tribute to the sacrifice and bravery of families with loved ones serving far away.

“This is a time when families traditionally are together,” said Valerie Dench, owner of Penn Skates. “It seems this is such a difficult time for families being apart. We wanted to do this in honor of them.”

Dench said military families from the area are invited to skate from 2 to 6 p.m. for free. For all others, the cost is $6 a person. Proceeds will go to the Mission of Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund, which benefits children of killed or disabled military personnel.

“I’d love to be able to raise a significant amount of money, but anything helps,” Dench said.

The Mission of Freedom Alliance, a nonprofit educational and charitable foundation, was started in 1990 by former National Security Council staff member and conservative pundit Oliver North.

Admission to the Penn Skates party includes skates, party favors and a raffle of several items, such as a Joe Paterno-autographed football, poker supplies and several books signed by North.

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Copyright (c) 2005, The Centre Daily Times, State College, Pa.

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