We joined Dreams for Kids D.C. in partnership with the Washington Capitals at Kettler Iceplex Tuesday for a special hockey clinic. The annual event hosted by the nonprofit welcomed more than 100 kids with physical and developmental disabilities from the D.C. area, many of them hitting the ice for the first time, with some of D.C.’s hockey stars, like Capitals Defenseman Brooks Orpik, with participant Myles Raupp and sponsor/volunteer DARCARS’ Jack Parsons.

Each child was paired with a volunteer, so they had a full day of one-on-one attention with a new friend. Here, Caps forward Jay Beagle and DFKDC participant Joshua Roemele.

Caps mascot Slapshot joined in the fun bringing huge smiles to all the children, like DFKDC participant Benjamin. These clinics are the perfect environment for kids with disabilities to meet others like them, so they know they are not alone. All made possible because of generous volunteers and lead sponsors like DARCARS and Michael & Sons.