The Season of Giving

I wanted to dedicate a post to places, people, or things you could donate to that would help the skateboarding community. I understand that not everyone is financially able to donate but if you are here are some good causes.

Nick Mullins

I am going to go ahead and assume that everyone is familiar with Nick’s story, if not, just type “Nick Mullins Day” in the search bar on this page. He has received support from all over the world and Paul Rodriguez handed Nick his winnings from getting 2nd place in the Battle At The Berrics 2. I would have to imagine that Nick still needs financial help because hospital bills are usually outrageous. The support Nick has received makes me proud to be apart of the skateboarding community. There are a good amount of negative connotations associated with skateboarding and sometimes I find myself shaking my head but this shows that, when it comes down to it, we are capable of taking care of and looking out for each other. This is a practice that I think should be followed more often.

Watts Skatepark

The Tony Hawk Foundation is running a donation platform in which the plan to match funds up to $10,000 in order to complete a $20,000 skateplaza in Watts, California. If you do not understand why a California skatepark is being promoted on an Ohio website I suggest you use your time on the internet to study American history and culture. The Tony Hawk Foundation has already built a park in Compton, California and seems to be continuing its goal of giving to those who need it the most.

Wilmington, Ohio Skatepark

Jen Stewart has been running a campaign to get a park built in Wilmington for a pretty good amount of time now and in the past 6-7 months her and her organization have faced all kinds of roadblocks. The most famous of these roadblocks being the series of arrest on local youth for riding their skateboards downtown while (allegedly) bikes have been able to roam free despite the ordinance saying that neither can ride downtown on the sidewalks. The community support doesn’t seem to be too strong even though she has been raising the funds through her organization, has received grants and plans to have local companies do the construction work if possible. (Not to mention the potential for more tourist dollars).

Coshocton, Ohio Skatepark

Matt Jamison has taken the reigns for the ongoing project of getting a concrete skatepark to replaced the ramps they have now. The city was going to move the ramps to a new location but it has been proposed that a new park be built to save the waste of time it would have been to move a park that nobody really wants to ride. (By the way, Matt (if you read this) you guys should donate the ramps to a neighboring town without a park, let me know if you do it! Matt has been an advocate for skateparks in Ohio and sends e-mails my way from time to time and seems to me like a guy who really loves and cares about skateboarding and its future.

Skatopia

Skatopia has been considered a skateboarding mecca and to those who have survived it, it is the wildest experience of their lives. Skatopia is home to a sprawling skatepark and a skateboarding museum and the entire endeavor is non-profit. Every dollar given to Skatopia goes to concrete and every donated board goes right into the museum. I have yet to go but it is a cause I believe in and if you have an old board or some money to help preserve the greatest free skatepark/museum/chaotic experience you’ll never forget, then do it.