Monumental Sports & Entertainment, Entertainment Gang and U.S. Figure Skating hosted “Legacy on Ice,” a figure skating tribute Sunday at Capital One Arena that has raised nearly $1.2 million for families of victims of the Jan. 29 aviation incident at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
The sellout crowd of more than 15,000 included nearly 500 first responders and approximately 150 family members of victims. Proceeds will support families and loved ones of the 67 people who died in the tragedy, as well as first responders and aviation professionals who responded.
Fundraising is expected to increase throughout March with a live national broadcast on NBC scheduled for March 30, when viewers will be encouraged to donate. An online auction featuring sports memorabilia, culinary and entertainment experiences and other items is also ongoing.
“We continue to be in awe of and grateful to this community, whose compassion and support was out in full force for the ‘Legacy on Ice’ event,” said Ted Leonsis, founder, chairman, managing partner and CEO of Monumental Sports & Entertainment. “Against the backdrop of this massive tragedy, this region has provided a light in showcasing its generosity and empathy for the victims, their families, and the heroic first responders.”
Organizers announced the event just one week after the tragedy and produced it in just over 30 days. The program featured 37 of figure skating’s most iconic athletes and decorated stars, who had only a few hours of in-person rehearsal before performing.
At the event, the dasher boards around the rink displayed 67 stars commemorating each victim. The D.C. Fire and EMS Department flew an American flag between two ladder trucks across F Street NW in front of the arena’s main entrance — a tradition honoring those who died in service to others.
Therapy dogs and K-9 units with their handlers from the D.C. Fire and EMS Department were present. Representatives from local sports teams, including the Washington Capitals, Washington Wizards, Washington Mystics, Washington Commanders, Washington Nationals, D.C. United and Washington Spirit attended.
After streaming on Peacock and airing on Monumental Sports Network, NBC will broadcast an encore of the event nationally on Sunday, March 30 at 1 p.m. ET.
The Kendra Scott Foundation Sports Fund is supporting the U.S. Figure Skating Family Support Fund through sales of the Kendra Scott Ice Skate Pendant. Learn more HERE.
The Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation has launched an online benefit auction featuring items donated by Washington sports teams, businesses and community groups. The auction runs through April 3 at 3 p.m. ET at www.Monumentalsports.com/LegacyOnIceAuction.
Those interested in donating can go to www.LegacyOnIce.com.