WASHINGTON – A fundraising initiative through a figure skating event in Washington has already successfully gathered $1.2 million to support the victims of the recent plane crash near D.C. and laud the efforts of first responders.
The benefit event, “Legacy on Ice,” organized by Monumental Sports & Entertainment, filled seats in the nation’s capital with over 15,000 attendees on Sunday, and incoming contributions promise to boost the total in the upcoming weeks. Besides being streamed on the Monumental Sports Network and Peacock, an encore will be broadcast by NBC on March 30.
Monumental chairman emphasized the profound community effort, recognizing the generosity and empathy demonstrated amidst the tragedy. He urged continued donations to aid the victims, their families, and the selfless first responders.
Among the performers were renowned skaters like Johnny Weir, world champion Ilia Malinin, and U.S. champion Amber Glenn. The show offered not only stellar performances but also moving tributes to the 67 who perished, including 28 from the figure skating community, after a helicopter collided with a passenger plane over the Potomac River on January 29.
Malinin, a local to Northern Virginia with personal ties to some victims, expressed the emotional turmoil within the community. The event grew from his desire to create a meaningful remembrance for the victims and a shared moment of grief and solidarity.
The event featured deeply personal and emotional moments, such as a performance by 13-year-old Isabella Aparicio in memory of her brother and father, both of whom were on the flight, bringing viewers and performers to tears. Maxim Naumov, skating in honor of his parents who died in the crash, brought a poignant close, lighting an electric candle amid applause.
Despite the short planning window, the event assembled skating legends and champions, including Olympic stars Scott Hamilton, Brian Boitano, Kristi Yamaguchi, and Nathan Chen, who all contributed their talent to the cause.
The night drew a significant number of attendees directly affected by the tragedy, including 500 first responders and roughly 150 family members of victims. The collected funds will be divided evenly among the families, first responders, and the U.S. Figure Skating organization.
Highlighting the importance of unity and collective action, event organizers expressed that the power of community and personal connection helped achieve remarkable results. The initiative underscored how individualized focus can galvanize efforts and yield positive impacts, reflecting pride in their accomplishments during this challenging time.
