Christine Cheesman wears many hats – homeschooling mom, art teacher, and figure skater. Now, she's added another: founder of Skates of Hope. This North Carolina resident was at the rink when news broke of the tragic collision between American Airlines Flight 5342 and a U.S. Army helicopter on January 29, 1983, over Washington, D.C. The crash claimed the lives of all 67 people on board, including a significant number from the figure skating community.

The Olympics website notes that 28 of the victims were connected to figure skating: 11 young athletes, four coaches, and 13 family members. Cheesman recalls her reaction to the news: "As a mother, it was heartbreaking. It's still incredibly difficult to imagine the pain and loss the families endured." Cheesman's own 12-year-old daughter, also a skater, found it hard to process the tragedy, especially since she followed some of the victims on social media.

Image 1 of 3: Christine Cheesman and her daughter on the ice. (Jeff Wenzel)

Image 2 of 3: Christine Cheesman and her daughter. (Christine Cheesman)

Image 3 of 3: Christine Cheesman and her daughter. (Jamie Stuckert)

For Cheesman, being on the ice represents freedom and beauty. After the crash, skating took on a new meaning, a shared purpose with her daughter. Inspired by the loss, Cheesman established Skates of Hope, an initiative to donate skates in memory of the victims. Using Instagram as a platform, she collects donated skates and distributes them to skaters in need. She's been overwhelmed by the gratitude of the recipients, and coaches are reaching out to her to support athletes facing financial challenges.

Image 1 of 3: Christine Cheesman with her Skates of Hope Instagram account. (Pilar Arias/Fox News Digital)

Image 2 of 3: Closeup of the Skates of Hope Instagram account. (Pilar Arias/Fox News Digital)

Image 3 of 3: Christine Cheesman discussing Skates of Hope. (Pilar Arias/Fox News Digital)

Cheesman's long-term vision is to transform Skates of Hope into a non-profit, directing monetary donations to the families affected by the crash. She encourages those who want to donate skates or receive a pair to connect with her through the Skates of Hope Instagram account. This 1983 crash remains a somber reminder of the 2001 tragedy where a jet crashed in a New York City neighborhood, taking the lives of 265 people.

Photos of victims following the collision.