Youth Stand Up for Skateparks

Thirteen boys from Boys Town Nevada’s Residential Homes had one gnarly experience when they recently attended the Tony Hawk Foundation’s Stand Up For Skateparks fundraiser.

The family-oriented, carnival-style event took place at the Red Rock Casino in Las Vegas and featured interactive activities, food, games, and live and silent auctions with one-of-a-kind items and opportunities - all to benefit the foundation’s mission to bring free public skateparks to low-income communities across the U.S.

The specially invited youth and sold-out crowd of more than 800 enjoyed a skateboarding demo from none other than Mr. Hawk himself, as well as other top riders and skateboarding prodigy, 14-year-old Mitchie Brusco.

Ben Harper, singer-songwriter, musician and Foundation board member, also performed.

“Most of the boys said it was the most exciting thing they'd ever seen,” said Amanda Gibbs, Boys Town Nevada Development Director. "Sixteen year-old Boys Town youth Tyler said, 'This was the best thing I've ever been to in my life! I loved it so much. It was awesome!'"

For these lucky youth, the memories of the event will last a lifetime. For one boy in particular, the experience has inspired him to start skating again – a hobby he’s always loved but quit when he came to Boys Town. Now, he’s teaching the other boys how to ride a skateboard and even building one for one of his Boys Town brothers, according to Gibbs.

“We look to foster a long and mutually beneficial relationship with the Tony Hawk Foundation, and hope to not only be invited again next year, but to be a part of their generosity,” she added. 

The event raised $640,000 for the Tony Hawk Foundation, including $35,000 for a new skate park in the Las Vegas area.

Tony launched Stand Up for Skateparks in 2004 with the goal to increase the number of safe, legal and healthy recreational outlets for youths in low-income communities across the U.S. To date, he has helped fund 493 public skateboard parks drawing more than 3.5 million kids each year. His Foundation favors programs, like Boys Town, that clearly demonstrate that funds received will produce tangible, ongoing, positive results.