Ski-A-Thon to Raise Funds for Coalition

Skiers will hit the slopes of Mammoth Mountain on Saturday to raise money for a coalition against youth crime and a scholarship fund in memory of slain teen-ager Steve Woods.

The First Annual Steve Woods Ski-a-Thon will be held at Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. A registration fee of $24 includes a T-shirt and barbecue. Prizes will be awarded to winners of the ski race.

Woods, 17, died Nov. 9, about three weeks after his head was pierced by a metal paint roller rod during a confrontation with alleged gang members and their friends or associates at Calafia County Beach Park in San Clemente.

The high school senior loved to ski with family and friends and celebrated his birthday each February with a trip to Mammoth Mountain.

The Ski-a-Thon is sponsored in part by Athletes for Youth, a nonprofit group formed by broadcaster and former professional football player Todd Christensen to prevent youth crime and substance abuse. The organizers, including Woods’ mother and sister, hope to make it into an annual event.

Said Liz Lee with Athletes for Youth: “All you need is your ski gear, your friends and lots of sponsors who pledge to support your efforts on the slopes.”

For information about entry fees, lift tickets, sponsorship forms and other information, call (714) 541-9369 during the day or (714) 443-9482 at night.