The 91原创 community came together on Sunday, Jan. 1 to celebrate the New Year with two family ice skating events. The first event was organized by Fort 91原创鈥檚 Living Waters Church and drew approximately 300 attendees. The second event was organized by the Salvation Army and saw about 200 people participate.

Ethan Newman, a member of Living Waters Church said the event engaged the community with one another outside of a typical Sunday gathering.

鈥淚t was really cool to see some little kids who might have been their first time skating at an event like this and the joy that it brings together,鈥� said Newman. 鈥淭he huge focus of an event like this is to come together as a community.鈥�

The skating event has traditionally been an annual tradition for Living Waters Church, but this was the first time in two years that it had been held due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

鈥淐hristmas can sometimes be a busy time and there鈥檚 a lot going on, but I think it鈥檚 a really neat opportunity to start the new year connecting with one another and asking about how things are going,鈥� said Newman.

In addition to providing a chance for community members to connect, the event also marked the start of the church鈥檚 Sunday gatherings, which will resume next week.

鈥淲e鈥檙e looking forward to meeting new people who come out in the future,鈥� said Newman.

Josh Downer, divisional secretary at the Salvation Army, echoed the sentiment of coming together as a community.

鈥淲e鈥檙e just grateful for the support over Christmas,鈥� said Downer. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a time for the members to go on the ice, and we鈥檒l have some new people who鈥檝e never gone in the ice.鈥�

Both events provided a chance for attendees to connect with one another and kick off the New Year. The Salvation Army also looks forward to having their summer camp up and running and encouraged the community to connect with their local chapter if interested in sending a child to camp.

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