Sunday fun on the ice: the Fun on the Ice event provides a good way to spend the day and support community via the Special Olympics Miracle Skaters and more

When you think of Sunday fun on the ice, something that comes to mind is checking out some tremendous professional ice hockey action via the Atlanta Gladiators (when they have a Sunday afternoon game during the season) or other ice skating activity. And while events along those lines sparks activity and interest, this Sunday, August 17th, The Ice (at 1345 Atlanta Highway in Cumming, GA) is the center of attention given a special day on the ice.

Under the leadership of Grey Altemeyer and others, the Fun on the Ice event provides a way for the community to come out, especially youth and others of all abilities, to have a good day and experience. The event is free to all participants (family members are welcome as it's recommended participants have a helmet) and includes on the ice activities (from 9:30-10:30am) and lunch to follow (from 10:30am-12pm), as it provides some solid social activity with the Special Olympics Miracle Sk8ters (this extension of the Special Olympics is based in Johns Creek, GA).

Altemeyer's introduction to the game of hockey eventually serves as the catalyst for his efforts behind the event.

After early and unsuccessful efforts with other sports, it changes when his parents take him to an Atlanta Gladiators' game.

"I didn't fully understand the game at that point, but the spirit of it immediately caught my interest. Within the month (after attending the game), I started a Learn to Skate program, and when I was 6, I started taking lessons from one of the players that I had watched on the Gladiators, Derek Nesbitt (who now serves as the Director of Community Engagement for the Atlanta Gladiators)", he notes.

Fast-forwarding to his sophomore year (at Deerfield Academy) along with his attachment to the game of hockey (which entails more than 10 years of playing, including his time at boarding school in Western Massachusetts with an emphasis on playing hockey), his attendance at presentations covering grant projects and seeing the efforts of his friends and peers inspire him to give back to his community along with pursuing and sharing his passion for skating and working with people. His efforts result in him securing a $1200 grant from his school to fund the event.

With this year's event in a good position, Altemeyer is looking forward to growing the event.

"I plan on making this a yearly event (taking place in August 2026); I want to make it bigger and better next year (including more involvement from sponsors, participants, and volunteers)", he emphasizes.

And clearly, this Sunday's "fun-day" on the ice is the first step in supporting the immediate community and more.