• A free night of ice skating for the community in Dickinson, North Dakota, this spring brought many families together on a snowy night.
• Marathon Petroleum’s Dickinson Renewable Diesel Facility paid all fees for the 140 attendees at the event, which also included food, a photo booth and raffles for prizes.
• Marathon is looking at the possibility of holding this event annually going forward.

Ice and snow are not uncommon for much of the year in Dickinson, North Dakota, but a free night on the ice is a rare opportunity. A complimentary evening of skating for the community brought many families out to a local indoor ice rink this spring even as heavy snow was falling.

Marathon Petroleum’s Dickinson Renewable Diesel Facility made it possible by covering the entrance fees and skate rentals for all attendees, and provided a DJ, photo booth and raffles to win snow sleds and goggles.

“This was the first time we hosted a skate night,” said Marathon Advanced Time and Scheduling Processor Trish Chvojka. “One of our employees suggested it as a new idea for community engagement, which goes along with the community swim day we held at a local pool last summer.”

About 140 residents took part in the skating event, including several employees from the renewable diesel facility and their family members. Marathon partnered with other local companies to provide plenty of hot cocoa and additional refreshments in light of the weather.

“The snowfall may have kept some people away, but it was a great event. Many people thanked us for the ice time as they were leaving,” Chvojka said. “Going forward, our goal is to hold this event annually to foster even stronger relationships in our community.”