KENTWOOD, Mich. -- Marie Sly and the West Michigan Special Hockey Association were hoping that 100 people would show up to their first annual Skate-A-Thon and, with donations of $10 a person, they were hoping to pay the $1,000 cost of one player for the upcoming season. The WMSHA and Marie, the team manager for the Patriots, really underestimated the local hockey community.
More than 200 people packed Patterson Ice Arena in Kentwood on Monday night, donating more than $4,000 to the group, which starts its second season later this year.
On top of that, the Grand Rapids Griffins, who have supported the WMSHA during their first season and beyond, worked with hockey equipment giant CCM to donate 15 full sets of gear for players.
The West Michigan Special Hockey Association gives children and young adults with developmental disabilities the chance to play the sport when they otherwise might not be able to. You can follow the league on Facebookor Twitter.
