Changing Lives, One Skateboard At A Time
boardsforbros.org
It all started when my son was 2 years old and was obsessed with anything with wheels on it. He couldn't pass a shopping cart, scooter, bike or shopping cart without trying to push it and ride it as fast as he possibly could. He was mostly non-verbal but he could say 'car', 'wheel', 'go fast' before he could say anything else.
The first four years of his life mainly consisted of my husband and I trying to keep him from seriously hurting himself. We started him with ice skating right away (we are Canadian and both came from a hockey background). Wesley loved the speed of skating and was instantly the best skater at the rink. He liked hockey but rarely appeared to look forward to doing it.
What Wesley LOVED was watching the MTV show 'Rob and Big'. We realized that when he watched the show, he would jump around the living room pretending to do all of the skate tricks. He memorized all the dialogue and begged for a skateboard.
We got Wesley his first real skateboard for his 5th birthday. Instantly, his vocabulary blossomed, his coordination was outstanding, he looked more comfortable on a skateboard than walking on the ground. He was the happiest kid on planet earth.
Hours every day were spent in our driveway or in our garage when it was raining. It didn't matter if it was hot or cold, he would loose himself in his skating. Seeing your kids become passionate about something at such an early age is an amazing thing for a parent. Hockey fell off the schedule and skateboarding became his life!
Over the next 5 years, driveway skating was enhanced by trips to skateparks all over the United States. Some of the parks felt dangerous and some of the skaters looked rough but I was devoted to tour as many parks as I could with my son. As a mom, I quickly learned that skate culture is one of acceptance and skaters taking care of skaters. The older sponsored kids would often give their 'old' wheels to the younger groms. Outgrown skate-company shirts were passed on to other skaters who could fit into them. Gas station snacks were always shared. Trick tips were exchanged. Filmers shared their talents.
Two years ago, we moved to Tampa, Florida. My son began to 'live' at the Skatepark of Tampa and once again, we were welcomed with open arms and we all quickly made new friends thanks to SPoT. One day, I saw a poster advertising an upcoming 'Boards for Bros Build Day'. Our whole family attended and helped build over 200 skateboards to give out to underserved youth in Tampa at Christmas. It was absolutely thrilling to know that the boards I was helping put together might end up in the hands of another kid like my son Wesley! No matter who raw my fingers got that day working the bearing press, I was fully motivated to assemble as many boards as humanly possible.
Three weeks later, I went along for the ride while we gave away the boards we worked so hard assembling. Skaters dressed as Santa, got up early in the morning and we hit the streets giving boards and skate lessons to over 200 kids. Boys and girls couldn't believe that they could keep their boards! Kids cried they were so happy! Moms came running out of their apartments and hugged the volunteers with thanks. I saw so many kids skate away (some not even wearing shoes) with the same twinkle in my eye that I saw in my son when I bought him his first skateboard.
That day I became fully committed to ensure that skateboarding is accessible to ALL youth regardless of their economic situation. Skateboarding is a tool that teaches perseverance, promotes exercise and provides an outlet for personal expression. Free skateboards allows parents to give their child a toy to occupy their time, keep them safe, keep them busy and develop a happy sense of self.
My son Wesley is now 14 years old and he devotes his spare time to volunteering with Boards for Bros! This awesome organization not only helps skaters get their first boards, but it engages current skaters in community service! Skaters helping future skaters. Skaters feeling that they can make a difference in their neighborhoods and communities. Skaters feeling like they have something important to contribute to society.
Boards for Bros truly changes lives, one skateboard at a time. For more information and video, please take a look at boardsforbros.org
Review from #MyGivingStory