Amelia Park Arena General Manager Christina Pagella is ready to fill the hockey nets with school supplies. (AMELIA PARK ARENA PHOTO)
WESTFIELD – Amelia Park Arena has launched a “Help us score our goal for schools” school supply drive encouraging people to drop off items for elementary school students at the arena, in return for one free public skating pass.
Items needed include 24-packs of crayons, glue sticks, plastic pencil boxes, colored pencils, pencil sharpeners, paper towels, tissues and disinfecting wipes.
Amelia Park General Manager Christina Pagella said she was inspired by a friend of hers who teaches elementary school in Westfield to start the drive. “Each year, I see how much she personally puts into her classroom for supplies. It got me thinking about what we can do as an ice arena to help our local schools and our teachers.”
Pagella said this year with many children learning at home during the hybrid program, she realized the need may be greater than ever. “Some kids might not have any supplies at home, so there will be a larger demand this year than in any year,” she said.
She ran the idea by her friend and the principal of her school, who also said when students are able to return to in-person learning, they will not be able to share supplies in class, and will have to have their own designated pencil boxes and their own supplies.
The goal of the school supply drive is to help students who may be in need of the very basic school supplies while they are learning from home, and when they return to school.
“Remote learning is new and will have its challenges for teachers and students. School supplies shouldn’t be an added stress to those in need,” Pagella said. “By providing our schools and families in need with the necessary supplies, it helps increase the success of our students during the upcoming school year- while also spreading a little positivity during these challenging times.”
Two hockey nets have been set up in the main lobby of Amelia Park Arena where donated supplies can be dropped off. Anyone who donates school supplies will receive one free public skating pass per person to be used at any of their public skates.
Amelia Park Arena, 21 South Broad St., is open for donatioins Monday- Friday from 8 a.m. – 9 p.m. and Saturday – Sunday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. from now until Sept. 18.
Pagella said all supplies will be donated to the superintendent to distribute as needed. “We want to make sure the schools are getting the supplies they need. Hopefully, we get so many that everyone gets a ton,” Pagella said.
“We are extremely appreciative of Amelia Park’s effort to collect supplies for our elementary schools. Given the fact that students are not able to share supplies when they are in our schools, the supplies will be very helpful,” said Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski.
The Amelia Park Arena, founded in 2000, is celebrating 20 years in 2020, although the celebration has been pushed to September 2021. The Arena is open for public skate times as well as puck and stick times, all observing social distancing guidelines. Registration is required, and hours available are listed on the website at ameliaparkarena.org.
People can also privately rent the arena at an hourly rate. They are also offering socially distant birthday parties of 25 guests. “We are setting up tables in the lobby area, where we can put chairs and tables six feet apart for birthday parties. We hope that people feel safe,” Pagella said.
On Aug. 17, Amelia Park Arena received clearance to hold hockey games. New policies and procedures have been put in place for players and coaches as well. “Everything has been going well, everyone is compliant with our procedures,” Pagella said, adding that they are following guidelines from the CDC, Mass Hockey, and USA Hockey.
