Figure Skating Benefit Planned For Victims Of DC Plane Crash

ARLINGTON, VA — An event featuring some of the world's most recognizable figure skaters will take place next month to support the victims who died when a plane and helicopter collided in midair near Ronald Reagan National Airport last week.

Monumental Sports & Entertainment on Wednesday announced the "Legacy On Ice" benefit event scheduled from 3 to 5 p.m. on March 2 at Capital One Arena in downtown Washington, D.C. According to organizers, the live figure skating tribute will be held to support families and loved ones affected by the Jan. 29 crash.

According to an Associated Press report, 28 members of the figure skating community were among the 67 people killed when an Army helicopter collided with an American Airlines flight and crashed into the Potomac River.

Skaters from the Ashburn Ice House and Medstar Capitals Iceplex in Arlington were among those who died in the crash. Many aboard the plane had just been to a development camp after the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, Kansas.

• RELATED: Community Rallies To Help VA Skaters' Families Tied To DC Plane Crash

The benefit will be co-hosted by 1988 Olympic champion Brian Boitano and will feature performances by 2024 world champion Ilia Malinin, two-time U.S. champion Amber Glenn and other prominent figure skaters, including former Olympians Tara Lipinski, Johnny Weir, Kristi Yamaguchi and Scott Hamilton.

“We are fortunate to have a platform to honor the 67 people we lost and remember the extraordinary impact they made during their lives,” Ted Leonsis, chairman and CEO of Monumental Sports & Entertainment, said in a statement. “By raising funds to support their families, we hope to provide a small amount of comfort during this terrible time.”

Monumental, U.S. Figure Skating, DC Fire & EMS Foundation and the Greater Washington Community Foundation are organizing the tribute.

Learn more about the benefit and planned performances.

Earlier this week, a GoFundMe site — Support Ashburn Ice, MCI Skating Community Impacted by 5342 — was set up to help families with ties to Ashburn Ice House and Medstar Capitals Iceplex.

The fundraiser has a goal of reaching $250,000; more than $110,000 had been donated as of 1 p.m. Wednesday.

Rob Lorenzen, the manager of the Ashburn Ice House, told reporters Friday that at least 15 of the victims are associated with the Ashburn and Arlington facilities. That number includes figure skaters, families and coaches.

"It's been a very emotional time for us managing through these 48 hours," Lorenzen said at a media briefing last week. "We were devastated to learn that the members of our skating community were on the American flight when it crashed Wednesday night."

In order to honor and remember the skaters, coach and assist the families of those who died, the GoFundMe account set up to disperse all donations made to the families.

The account states, “Every skater has a home rink. We were honored to be theirs.”

More on the crash can be found here.