Professional Skaters Foundation

U.S. Open Sponsorship

By Patrick O’Neil

The annual PSA Summit 2020 (formerly known as Conference) is just around the corner and that means two things: The U.S. Open Figure Professional Figure Skating Championships and rating exams.

As many of you know, the Professional Skaters Association established the PS Foundation in an effort to expand educational opportunities for PSA members who might not have the financial ability to attend. The Foundation also assists coaches and performing skaters who require financial instance due to sickness, disability or financial hardships.

U.S. Open Professional Figure Skating Championship competitors take a bow during the 2019 event in Palm Springs, CA.

Where does the money come from to officer this assistance?

One of the ways the Foundation raises money to support PSA members is through the U.S. Open Professional FIgure Skating Championships held during the week of Summit. The competition is a great vehicle for skaters who have left the amateur ranks but still have a passion for competing. This competition is judged based on a skaters' total performance with an eye to costuming, presentation, music selection, choreography, style, and technique. The competition is open to all performing and teaching professionals who are U.S. citizens or are permanent residents.

On behalf of the PS Foundation, I ask each of you taking the time to read this article to take another moment and make a donation the Foundation. Any amount you can donate helps ensure the security of the Foundation and our ability to continue to provide aid to our friends and colleagues. You can donate by going to the PSA website, clicking on the Foundation link, and donating there. Additionally, please ask your club/rink/program to secure a sponsorship for the U.S. Open. Sponsorships are available at all levels and very easy for a club participate in.

More information about U.S. Open sponsorship is available at skatepsa. com or by contacting Patrick O’Neil, President of PS Foundation, at PatrickHONeil@aol.com

Amazon Smile

The PS Foundation is a part of the Smile Amazon Program. Amazon donates 0.5% of all eligible purchases to a charity that you designate on the Smile.amazon.com website. AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support the PS Foundation every time you shop, with no additional cost to you. Simply go to smile.amazon. com from your web browser, choose the PS Foundation as your designated charity, and use your existing amazon. com account with all the same settings! We all shop on Amazon today; please consider choosing the PS Foundation as your designated charity and start shopping on smile. amazon.com! Please spread the word to family and friends!