BoardLess Kids

[GrassDiver]

Okay, a first for me today - some kid comes up and want to ride my board this morning at the skatepark, I was a bit flattered thinking ahhh he recognizes my old skool ride and is curious - nope, he just doesn't have a board. I traded off with him in the bowl and topside, he was a beginner like me, and had great enthusiasm. Anyway, I guess $100 could be a mountain of cash to a lot of kids - I wonder if there are any programs like Blue Santa that give skateboards to kids on Christmas, or is it a big Liability and they are afraid to get sued if a kid got hurt. Or could even an individual be held liable if they gave a skateboard to a boardless kid and they got hurt - I don't know anything about this kid or his parents, I wonder if I could get in trouble for giving him a skateboard. Sad that I even have to ponder liabilities, I am not that worried, just wondering if anyone had information or experience on boardless kids.

[pennypusher]

i have seen a few programs that different churches and temples start up around the holidays once in awhile for bikes and skateboards for kids.
it always feels good to give to a kid that really cant afford something most of us take for granted.
paying it forward is always good and comes back to you eventually.
even if you cant give him a board its cool that you made his day.
sorry dont know of anything on a regular basis that is a foundation or charity.

[kraffft]

I'm curious about this too.. neighborhod kids are always buggin me to ride my boards.. and for me to give them boards..

Theres a large number of bike programs around the U.S., a lot of them volunteer run. Recycle-a-Bike in Providence, as well as one or two more. Bikes Not Bombs is a real old one in Boston.. Bikas in Tuscon, is another well established one. Seems like a real easy step for them to start collecting and giving away skateboards as well as bikes.. if they don't already. I'm definitely going to start talking to some folks here about doing that for the spring (why duplicate organizational infrastructure by starting new projects?)

Similarly, a lot of shelters, and govt human services will take skateboards and give em to kids that really can't afford them.

Also, I know mile high mark has posted about a charity that he supports that gives boards to poor kids. Can't remember the name..

And, I remember reading about a skate program that was started in Afghanistan a couple years back..

[TIMORNE]

I usally give a board or two away a year.Sometimes it's a friend of one my sons & other times not.

[GrassDiver]

I am willing to give him a board, but for all I know his parents are against him skating and that's why he doesn't have a board to begin with. I'd like to think he just doesn't have the money..... I am sure I will run into him again at the park, I may end up donating one of my set-ups to him if I feel sure I am not getting played. I can't stand the idea of a kid that is actually down in the park wanting to skate and having to hit people up for a ride here and there cause they don't have a board.