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They’re hoping to double last year’s attendance, and already they’ve had morethan-expected requests for skates.

Loaner skates are rounded up from all over the region. Sledges are borrowed from KidsAbility, and wheelchair skates from the City of Kitchener. Value Village stores lend the skates on its shelves.

“Last year they ended up saying, ‘Don’t bring them back,’” Sproul said, adding that they often became Christmas gifts. The rest of the skates are rented. “Nobody has to worry about skates,” Sproul said.

Donations are welcome, too. Skates can be dropped off at Extend-A-Family’s Kitchener office on Thursday and Friday or at the skating party. Sproul suggested a family who comes out to skate might drop off pairs that kids have outgrown.

“We would love to have a big bin of skates that folks could take home with them,” she said.

The skating party will be held at the Albert McCormick Community Centre on Jan. 3 from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., with skating from 3 to 4 p.m. There will be kids’ activities and face painting in the community room, along with food, including international fare prepared by people in the community.

Sproul said it’s a fun afternoon and great way for people to “get to meet one another.”

Register or put in a skate request at www.facebook.com/events/134075940643206 (bit.ly/2DQkYuj).