NEWRY – Maine Handicapped Skiing, Maine’s largest year-round adaptive recreation program for adults and children with physical disabilities, raised $265,000 at the 20th anniversary Ski-A-Thon on March 19 at Sunday River Ski Resort and Sunday River Inn and Cross Country Ski Center.

More than 650 skiers and riders and 120 volunteers from Maine and New England participated in the ski-a-thon. Highlights included an on-slope obstacle course, built and operated by the Parrot Head Club of Maine and Rockin’ George Leh and His Band, who entertained at the Grand Summit ballroom.

The ski-a-thon team, Snow Snakes, won the grand prize for fund-raising with $17,805: five days skiing and four days lodging at an eastern ski resort. Craig Cooper of Cape Elizabeth was the top individual fund-raiser for the fourth year in a row with $16,720, winning a pair of skis and a $1,000 travel gift certificate.

Andy Barlow of Andover, a longtime volunteer and participant, was honored by Maine Handicapped Skiing with the 110 percent award for individuals, businesses or organizations who have given extraordinary service to the organization.

Sunday River Ski Resort, long-time sponsor of Maine Handicapped Skiing, provided free lift tickets to skiers and riders. Sunday River Inn and Cross Country Ski Center, home of MHS’s cross country skiing and snowshoeing program, provided passes for the cross country skiers participating in the ski-a-thon.

For information on becoming a volunteer or a participant in Maine Handicapped Skiing’s adaptive recreational program for adults and children with physical disabilities, call (800) 639-7770, e-mail MHS at [email protected] or visit the Web at www.skimhs.org.