SOUTH PORTLAND – The snow may not have hit the slopes yet at Sunday River, but Maine Handicapped Skiing had reason to celebrate recently at the Sheraton South Portland Hotel.

More than 300 supporters of Maine Handicapped Skiing, participants, volunteers, contributors, board members and staff, kicked off the association’s anniversary celebration with an announcement: the creation of a $250,000 Maine Handicapped Skiing Endowment Fund. The endowment will provide a yearly income and give future donors the opportunity to make a long-term financial commitment to Maine Handicapped Skiing.

Leslie B. Otten, past CEO of American Skiing Co., and Dr. Omar D. Crothers, founding fathers of Maine Handicapped Skiing, were present to offer their congratulations and support to the association community. Both men were instrumental in creating Maine Handicapped Skiing in 1982 and have remained supporters for the past 25 years.

Maine Handicapped Skiing has grown from two volunteer instructors and eight participants taking Alpine skiing lessons in 1982 to more than 390 volunteers and 300 participants taking lessons in Alpine and Nordic skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, canoeing, kayaking, golf and cycling lessons, all free.

Maine Handicapped Skiing provides year-round adaptive recreation sports lessons for children and adults with physical disabilities free of charge. For more information on becoming a participant or volunteer, contact Maine Handicapped Skiing at 800-639-7770; e-mail [email protected] or visit www.skimhs.org.