White Plains CitizeNetReporter - COUNTY EXECUTIVE SPANO TO HONOR NEW YORK RAPTORS

WPCNR Press Box, from Westchester County Department of Communications, Filed 3/04/02, 1:30 PM EST: Developmentally-disabled athletes will carry the Westchester County flag at Albany competition.

County Executive Andy Spano will bid farewell and good luck to the New York Raptors, a hockey team for developmentally disabled athletes, as they embark on a trip to Albany to represent Westchester County in the annual Special Hockey International Tournament.

THE 2001-02 NEW YORK RAPTORS HEADED FOR ALBANY: County Executive Andy Spano will present the Westchester County flag to the team Tuesday in a special ceremony at the team's home rink, Westchester Skating Academy in Elmsford. Jason David Bailey, second from left, Second Row, formerly of White Plains, has been skating with the Raptors since 1997.

Spano will meet the coaches and members of the team on Tuesday, March 5th at 4 p.m. at the Westchester Skating Academy on Rte. 9A in Elmsford. He will also present the team with the Westchester County flag, which members will carry on Thursday when they participate in Olympic-style opening ceremonies at the Big Arena in Delmar, N.Y., a suburb of Albany.

"The Olympics recently treated us to some amazing athletic feats and inspiring stories of the athletes and the sacrifices they made to get there,'' said Spano. "These athletes -- those with disabilities that prevent them from competing in other games -- are just as dedicated and determined. I want the Raptors to know that all of us in Westchester County are behind them 100 percent as they head to Albany. We wish them the best of luck.''

The New York Raptors were founded in 1996 to provide an opportunity for developmentally disabled children in the New York area to play in an ice hockey program designed especially for them. They participate in one of more than 15 special hockey programs in North America, playing under the aegis of Special Hockey International – The Heart League. Similar non-profit programs are based in St. Louis, Denver, Hartford, Albany and Canada. All of these clubs will participate in the upcoming tournament.

The program is open to players of any age, male or female who are ineligible or unable to participate in an existing, organized program due to a disability.

For information on how your disabled son or daughter can participate with the Raptors for the 2002-03 season, call 698-4871.


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