VALENCIA, CA – Friends, family and fans of special needs hockey gathered at the Ice Station Valencia this past Saturday to raise funds for SNAP Sports and the Valencia SNAP Flyers Special Needs Hockey Club.

“We all get together once a year at our Skate-a-Thon to skate in support of these courageous athletes”, said Dave Chase President at SNAP Sports. “We offer a variety of sports-based activities, but our ice hockey program is at the center of it all.”

The 4th annual edition of SNAP Sports Skate-a-Thon raised over $38,000 for local special needs sports programming. The day kicked off with a special hockey exhibition with the SNAP Flyers facing-off against an all-star squad from the hometown Valencia “Junior A” Flyers.

There was no shortage of offense, as the SNAP squad took home the victory 18-17 in a hard fought game. Flyers Captain Luc Whyte commented, “I can’t believe how good these guys are getting! The progress they have made in the last four years is incredible! I’m so proud of all the hard work they have put in.”

After a team luncheon, they turned down the lights and turned up the music at the Ice Station and over 60 skaters took to the ice in their best “glow” skate costumes. Participants competed for “Best Glow in Show”, and Valencia Resident Alex Oborne was declared the winner by a panel of judges comprised of the LA Kings Ice Crew!

Chase added, “ We are very please at the results of the event and we are very thankful for the generosity of our donors and sponsors who support our mission to provide this type high-quality programming. It’s a real vote of confidence in the work being done”

For more information about Skate-a-Thon 2016 and SNAP Sports, go to www.snaphockey.org.