By Ellen Kibbe
Contributing Writer
Lace Up your Skates, and hit the Rink with Bona Buddies.
St. Bonaventure student mentors involved in the Bona Buddies’ program and the Bona Buddy children will glide across the ice at the William O. Smith Recreation Center in Olean Saturday, Nov. 22 from 3 to 5 p.m. This is the last big event for the club before the semester break.
Director of Bona Buddies, Margaret Morris, explained the upcoming event allows older students to have fun with younger children.
“Bona Buddies is an after-school mentoring program that pairs Bonaventure students with local children and youths aged 5-12,” Morris said. “Ice skating is a fun way to get some exercise with friends during our long Western New York winters. Thanks to a generous grant from the Toulmin Foundation, we are able to host weekend events like this one.”
The Buddies come to campus weekly to spend time with their mentor, do homework and participate in various events on campus. Bona Buddies is involved in various enrichment partnerships on campus such as Bonaventure’s Medical Emergency Response Team (MERT), Asian Students in Action (ASIA) and Embrace it Africa. The club most recently hosted its annual Halloween trick-or-treating party.
This will be the second annual Bona Buddy skating party. The St. Bonaventure men’s hockey team will be at the party to assist any skater who may require some help.
“All are welcome, and skate rentals are included,” Morris said.
Mary Frac, a freshman psychology major, is excited for the upcoming weekend. Frac has been skating before, but she is especially looking forward to this skating experience because she will get to share it with her Bona Buddy.
“Every event that we have is so rewarding and joyous to see the children light up with excitement.” Frac said.
She is very happy that she decided to join the club this year.
“It is a very rewarding club since we get to make a large impact on the kids’ lives, and we get so much from the love they give us in return.” Frac said.
