WHEELING — Organizers and sponsors of the 5th annual Inclusion on Ice met today outside the Wheeling Park Ice Rink to present checks for $7,000 each to two local nonprofits that serve children with autism and various disabilities.
Inclusion on Ice is a free inclusive skating event held each February that invites people of all ages and abilities to skate for free with assistance from experienced skaters from the Wheeling Nailers hockey team and local high school teams. Assistive devices, such as walkers and sleds, are available, and wheelchairs and strollers are permitted on the ice. The event also includes a sensory room, community resource fair, bounce houses, and more.
The event is organized by founder and advocate David George, the Nailers, Wheeling Park, Easterseals Rehabilitation Center, and Augusta Levy Behavioral Services. The proceeds were presented to Easterseals and Augusta Levy.
Inclusion on Ice is sponsored by the Wheeling Park Commission, Oglebay Foundation, Encova Foundation of West Virginia, and the Regional Economic Development Partnership, among other community partners.
"These partners help make the event possible and also support the missions of Easterseals and Augusta Levy to make an impact on the well-being of children, families, and the entire community," Easterseals Marketing Director Betsy Bethel-McFarland said.
A record 700 people attended the 2026 event. Over 70 volunteers also help make the event successful.
Additional sponsors included: Panhandle Cleaning and Restoration, WesBanco, Kalkreuth, City of Wheeling, The Glessner Group, WTRF, WTOV, Coffman Properties LLC, WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital, Intercoastal Capital Markets, Main Street Bank, WVABLE, Tripp's Fun Zone, Youth Services System Inc., Miklas Meat Market, Rotary Club of Moundsville, Blackburn's, Peter Holloway, Scott & Sally Cunningham, H.E. Neumann Co., Lynn Hetzel, Jennifer Dias, Kurt Keefer, John Chillingworth & Lynn Palcic, Dr. Ellen Kitts, Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
"We'd also like to thank our many media partners, as well, for helping spread the word," Bethel-McFarland said. They include: WTRF-TV 7, WTOV-TV 9, Corey Klug at iHeart Radio, Steve Novotney at River-Talk and LEDE News, Lamar Advertising, Mark Delbrugge with WKKX, Liv & Sonya with WKKX, Eric Anderson at The Green Tab, and Derek Redd at The Intelligencer/News-Register, The Times Leader, and the Herald-Star/Weirton Daily Times.
