The Long Island Rebe Youth Hockey Association recently held its annual "Buddy Skate," in which members of the team partner with children with diabilities to enjoy a day of skating at the Dix Hills ice rink.

Students from both the Genesis School for Autistic Children and the Half Hollow Hills Central School District attended the free skate session with their families as volunteers from the Long Island rebels and the Long Island Royals accompanied the participants on the ice.

The event was graciously sponsored by Mutual of Omaha, who was generous to bring their “Wild Kingdom Encounter,” which included a baby alligator, a lion cub, a beaver, an albino python and a European Eagle Owl.

“ I look forward to attending the ‘Buddy Skate’ every year,” said Huntington Town Councilwoman Berland. “Ice-skating is a fun recreational activity which we are happy to make available to physically challenged residents and we are fortunate to host this year’s event at the Town of Huntington’s new state-of-the-art rink."