Skiers at the Ontario Track 3 ski program in Craigleith now have a little bit more inspiration.

The program, which is operated at the Craigleith Ski Club, teaches kids with mental and physical disabilities how to ski. More than 250 youngsters participate in the initiative.

Liz O'Leary, an instructor with the program, wanted to spruce up the clubhouse and felt the best way to do so would be with pictures of famous celebrities. She was also hoping that the celebrities would send autographed photos giving the skiers encouragement to the kids would help them.

She got the idea after coming across letters that her mother had sent to celebrities such as Bob Hope and Red Skelton.

"We don't have much on our walls," she said. "If I e-mailed them, I wondered if they would respond?"

She says she sent out hundreds of e-mails to various celebrities and within a week had responses.

O'Leary said Hall of Fame goaltender Johnny Bower was the first to respond. Since then, she has received autographed pictures from singers Rita McNeil and Anne Murray, comedy duo The Smothers Brothers, chidren's author Robert Munsch, actress Florence Henderson, actor Alan Thicke, athletes Brian Orser and Rick Hansen and astronaut Chris Hadfield.

The pictures wish the athletes good luck in the future and encourage them to keep up the good work. Alan Thicke wrote a message saying, "Don't hit any trees."

"The kids may not have heard of all of these people but to know that somebody famous heard they are a great skier, they need pats on the back," she said.

O'Leary said the two most surprising submissions were from seven-time Tour de France winning cyclist Lance Armstrong and actor John Travolta.

"He (Armstrong), just doesn't had stuff out," she said.

O'Leary said she has heard from other individuals including Prime Minister Stephen Harper that photos are in the mail.

The group currently has more than 400 volunteers and is always looking for more, especially from Collingwood.

For more information call 1-877-308-7225 or visit www.track3.org