On a winter’s day seven years ago, the weather was unusually cold in Denver – too cold in fact for a local organization that supported seriously ill children and their families to host its annual skating party at a small outdoor rink in Cherry Creek. On the verge of canceling the event, the organization called Denver University, where it found not only a warm reception but a long-lasting one as well.

The Pioneers hosted the seventh annual DU Skate Party last month on its home ice at Magness Arena in conjunction with the Starlight Foundation of Colorado. For an hour, Denver ice hockey student-athletes and coaches skated with 110 of their special guests – about 60 children and their families – as part of the Starlight Foundation’s Great Escapes program.

The Starlight Foundation is an international organization dedicated to helping seriously ill children and their families cope via entertainment, education and family activities such as the Great Escapes program, which allows families to spend quality time away from the hospital and to meet others facing similar situations.

In addition to the hour-long skate January 15, the Pioneers ice hockey team signed autographs and mingled over dinner. It was a record turnout, according to Denver head coach George Gwozdecky.

“These young kids are experiencing health issues that are extremely challenging for them and their families,” said Gwozdecky. “To be able to share an hour of their day with them, exchanging smiles and developing a small relationship during that time is extremely gratifying and very rewarding for our players and staff.”

The best part of the skate, said team captain J.P. Testwuide, was helping the kids and having an opportunity to put smiles on their faces. Seeing the struggles they go through on a daily basis, having a chance to lend a helping hand and making the event memorable for each child have made an impression on the senior defender.

Gwozdecky’s squad has been the only Denver athletics program to partner with the Starlight Foundation for the past seven years. While that will change in March when the gymnastics team will work with the foundation, plans are already underway for next year’s skate party.

“This is an annual event for our team,” said Gwozdecky. “Of all the many community events that our hockey team participates in, this is the one event that our players look forward to the most. It has a very strong impact and profound effect on all of us.”