The public is invited to share the memory of a special 5-year-old boy.
Tate Hughes died in January 2024 after a brief illness.
His mom Tahlia Hughes says an annual event called ‘Skate for Tate’ honours the avid hockey player.
It’ll be held on Sunday, February 16 from 9 am to noon at the Avenir centre.
“Skate for Tate was started because of the amount of support that our family received after he passed away. We received so much support and love, and we wanted to give back in any way that we could. So we thought, what better way than to give back to the hockey community who helped and loved us so much?” Tahlia says.
‘Skate for Tate’ was started in February last year, as a way for families to come together and skate and have a good time in memory of Tate.
“It was something that he loved to do so much, to be around friends and go skating and have snacks and just have a good time,” Tahlia adds.
The organizers of the skate have partnered with a group called Open Ice for Kids, which is a local charitable organization that helps underprivileged families pay for hockey registrations.
“Skate for Tate also helps to pay for hockey gear and fees, travel costs, if necessary, or anything that any underprivileged family may need to allow a child to play the sport that Tate loved so much,” Tahlia added.
The goal for the second annual ‘Skate for Tate’ is $20,000.
Last year, it brought in just over $12, 000, and Tahlia says they decided to step up their goal.
Money is raised in a few different ways. The skate sharpening business at the 4-Plex recently held a fundraiser, and all of the money from skate sharpening was donated to ‘Skate for Tate’.
Donations can also be made at the door of the event itself on Sunday, there is also an online silent auction, a 50/50 and Tate swag will also be for sale on the day of the event.
“That has become such a popular thing amongst the kids. We still see kids wearing ‘Skate for Tate’ t-shirts from last year. So that’s a huge fundraiser, a huge revenue for us. We also will have face painting by donation as well,” Tahlia says.
She also stressed that at the end of the day, the best part of the event is having people come out and enjoy the time being all together and skating.
“The outpouring of love from our entire community just completely overwhelmed us, knowing that so many people are keeping his memory alive. We absolutely love celebrating him. It is a tragic situation, but the fact that the community is continuing to celebrate and love him and speak his name is something that we’re just so grateful for,” Tahlia expressed.
For more information on ‘Skate for Tate’ or how you can donate, visit the Facebook page.
