Can you help put a smile on the faces of these kids?

SooToday.com received the following note this morning from faithful reader Toni Scobie.

Toni isn't asking for money.

But we're wondering whether our readers can help get a new snowblower for the kids of Aweres Township.

************************* Have you ever skated on an outdoor rink?

Many of us donned our first pair of skates, maybe the bob skate and took our first stab at skating on one of these rinks.

For me, I can remember skating on one, Esposito Park.

The heated rink shack, hot chocolate, flood lights and yes, even music playing over the speakers.

Hockey players at one end and us little figure skaters at the other.

Such great memories.

Many a famed NHL player, Olympic skater, champion curler will tell you they started out on an outdoor rink, maybe a pond.

Esposito Brothers, Gretzky, Kennedy, Turco.

Aweres Township has one of these special places located behind the public school.

Hats off to the committee that makes this possible, to Mr. Bob Garson and his ice elves for the many long cold hours they spend while we are cozied up at home.

You will see them out there flooding, scraping , checking the boards, cleaning the shack and just getting things ready for the next day.

Do you know that the rink is even maintained during the summer months to ensure a great winter season!

Many children will receive a nice shiny pair of skates from Santa and will be anxious to get out to the rink.

The children at the school always enjoy their weekly class skate.

Parents can be rest assured their child is safe over there in the evening having fun.

Budgets for these types of facilities are very small and many volunteer hours are put in.

Last fall, the rink shack was broken into, they stole the 11-year-old snow blower.

Fortunately the budget held enough money to allow for a new one.

A shiny red Troy Built would help to keep the ice ship-shape for all to enjoy.

On December 16, 2009 the caretakers went over to prep the ice for a good watering.

The shack door had been pried open and the shiny red Troy Built was gone.

Tire tracks were evident but could not be followed.

The caretaker is nearing 70 years old.

The elves are discouraged.

It is too big to shovel.

The insurance deductible, $10,000.

Maybe we should have painted it a bright fluorescent pink!

If we get it back we will do just that!

If you know who did this, please ask them to bring it back to the kids.

If you took it, again please bring it back, no questions asked.

If you choose to keep it, well I can only say this: each time you are clearing your driveway I want you to think about the kids who will not be able to enjoy the rink, about those skates Santa brought because you think you are more important.

Think about the volunteers, the smiles the music, the lights and hot cocoa.

Think about your own special memories of learning to skate, hitting a puck, twirling on the ice and just hanging with friends as those memories may well inspire you to do the right thing.

Confidentiality is my promise to you.

If you know something please call me at: 777-2828.

Merry Christmas Toni Scobie

************************* Earlier SooToday.com coverage of this story

Snowblower stolen from Aweres Public School. (again!?!!)