After nearly two months of controversy and, for the Smith family, lots of appearances and interviews, closure was finally found regarding the two 11-year-old Owatonna boys whose unintentional hockey swap almost won them $50,000 from a charity hockey game in Faribault on Aug. 11.

Vance Vinar Jr. was the organizer of the Shattuck-St. Mary’s vs. The World hockey game where Nate Smith made an 89-foot shot through a tiny slot during intermission to seemingly win $50,000. It was later revealed that Nate’s brother’s name, Nick, was drawn to shoot but was outside at the time. Instead of the full payout, Odds On Promotions of Reno, Nev., decided to donate $10,000 to each the Faribault and Owatonna youth hockey programs in the names of the two boys.

On Monday at the Faribault Ice Arena, with the boys present, Vinar Jr. presented each the Faribault and Owatonna youth hockey associations with the $10,000 checks.

“This is perfect,” said the boys’ mom, Kim Smith. “It will benefit both associations; it will benefit the kids. This is really good.”

Faribault Hockey Association President Greg Starkson said they’ll likely use the money for scholarship applications, equipment and additional ice time, but nothing will be decided until the board gets together to discuss it.

Vicki Mayer, the secretary of the Owatonna Youth Hockey Association, said she has been discussing possible options with the Smith family already.

“We want them to be a part of that decision,” she said.

Kim Smith described the past two months as “a whirlwind of activities that has now slowed down.”

Because of their gained celebrity status, the twins received two free trips to New York and made appearances on “The Early Show,” “The Today Show” and “Inside Edition.” They also talked to BBC Radio in London as they stood in Central Park.

“It’s fun because we got to go to New York, and we got to go on these cool, popular shows,” Nick said.

Nate said it’s been fun, but it’s also taken a lot of time. He said he and his brother missed valuable Steele County Fair time.

“It’s weird that just that game could make us do all this stuff,” said Nick, who, along with his brother, will try out for the pee wee hockey team at the end of this month.

“It couldn’t have come out any better for both the Faribault and Owatonna youth hockey associations,” Vinar Jr. said. “I think it was a win-win.”

Vinar Jr. said it hasn’t been discussed yet whether or not next year’s charity hockey game will offer the $50,000 shot, but it might be on high demand.

“I’m thinking if I do it I might get a few more contestants now,” he said.