what we do
Our mission: Board Rescue is a non-profit 501(c) (3) public benefit corporation dedicated to providing skateboards & safety equipment to children; targeting low-income children and at-risk youth.
We believe that every child should have the opportunity to skateboard regardless of their economic background. We are dedicated to getting skateboards and safety equipment to underprivileged and/or at-risk youth. You can help by visiting the How You Can Help page and make a donation to support our mission.
Thanks,
Gary Holl
President
Board Rescue
how you can help / FAQs
Board Rescue relies on contributions from companies and individuals like yourself. You can donate equipment or make a monetary donation. We accept the following equipment donations:
Skateboard equipment:
- decks
- trucks
- wheels
- bearings/grip tape/hardware
Safety eqipment:
- helmets
- knee and elbow pads
Donate
To donate equipment please contact us at boardrescue@mac.com
To make a monetary donation please click the JustGive or AMEX Giving Express* links below--both are secure and easy ways to make a difference today.
*Please note: American Express will deduct a transaction fee of 2.25% from your donation to cover processing costs. The charities will receive your donation amount, minus the 2.25% American Express processing fee, from our partner JustGive. This transaction fee is similar to or less than the processing fee the charity would pay if you were to charge your donation with your American Express Card through any other means (i.e., over the phone to the charity, through the charity's website, etc.). You will not be charged any additional fees for using the American Express Donation Site and your dollar donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.
FAQ
Do you accept donations of used equipment? At this time we do not, please contact your local YMCA, or similar organization, to see if you can donate your equipment there. Or if you would like to help Board Rescue you can sell it and make a monetary donation to Board Rescue. Monies received are used to purchase items which are then donated.
Do you accept donations of t-shirts, hats or other clothing? E-mail us with a full description of the items. We may or may not be able to accept the items.
What area does Board Rescue operate in now? Currently we are operating in California with the hopes to expand to other States in the future.
Are the Board members of board Rescue paid a salary? No, there is no payment to any Board member, we are all volunteers.
I would like a free skateboard, will board Rescue send one to me? Board Rescue works directly with organizations, like the YMCA or other recognized organizations, to place equipment in to programs which are set up at these organizations and benefit at-risk and/or underprivileged children.
I'd like to volunteer, how can I help? Currently we are fully staffed. If you would like to help you can support our mission and make a donation, or if you have some old equipment you can sell it online at one of the auction sites; you can then take the proceeds and make a donation to Board Rescue. Your donation helps fund items we regularly purchase which include safety equipment and skateboard components such as trucks, bearings or hardware.
Our Organization has a skateboard program and it serves a community which includes at-risk and underprivileged children, how do we find out more about Board Rescue to see if we can align the two organizations and receive a donation? We currently do not have a formal application. Please send us an e-mail and tell us about your organization.
When e-mailing Board Rescue please provide us with the following information:
- Your full contact name, telephone number, e-mail, title.
- The name of your organization making the request. Include the full address, telephone number and web address if applicable.
- Please tell us about the skateboard program that you are currently running or planning on running. Please provide as much detail as possible around the program you have in place, or the program that you are planning on starting. Who runs/facilitates the program, on what days does the program run, what benefits does your program provide to the community? Will the equipment be loaned out with supervision during the hours that the program runs? Is there a secure place to store the equipment when it is not being used? Please provide any other information that you believe will help us when reviewing your request.
When you send your e-mail to Board Rescue please copy the most Senior person (example: Director, Principle etc) of your organization on the e-mail. This most likely will be your supervisor/manager or site Director.
The staff at Board Rescue meets regularly to review and select organizations to make donations to.
Please keep in mind that we get many requests for equipment. We receive more requests then we have equipment to donate.
contact us
Meet the Board:
Gary Holl, 47
Skateboarding since 1975
President and Founder, Board Rescue
Senior Project Manager of Business Processes & Systems, Apple Inc.
Judi Oyama, 48
Skateboarding since 1973
Vice President, Board Rescue
Principle, Maximum Impact Design
Dr. Andrew Huberman, 32
Skateboarding since 1984
Treasurer & Secretary, Board Rescue
Post Doctoral Scholar, PhD, Stanford School of Medicine Neurobiology
Christian Opperman, 16
Skateboarding since 2003
Volunteer, Board Rescue
Honor Student, Woodside Priory
Questions? Email us at boardrescue@mac.com
news & events
December 8, 2008
Board Rescue gives S.F. Bay Area youth organizations skateboards and motivation
Skateboarders join together to provide a positive, safe environment for young athletes
Palo Alto, CA -- Now in its fifth month of operations, Board Rescue has made significant donations to Bay Area organizations including the YMCA of San Francisco, San Francisco Unified School District and the Santa Cruz Boys and Girls Club, all of which run skateboard programs. Board Rescue mission is to provide skateboards and safety equipment to at-risk youth and underprivileged children.
“Board Rescue’s donation of skateboards to the after-school program at ISA will help us to meet the number one goal of our program: providing students with exciting new opportunities based on their own personal suggestions and needs,” said Hilary Power, Asst. Site Coordinator for ISA Cobra Recreation After School Program, Urban Services YMCA. “Board Rescue’s donation will truly make a difference in allowing our students to cultivate new skills with equipment they otherwise would have limited access to and will improve the quality of their after school community.”
Board Rescue realizes the importance of having youth become passionate about skateboarding. “The physical act of skateboarding has many benefits and it brings kids from all social-economic backgrounds together,” said Gary Holl, President of Board Rescue. “Kids learn to interact in a positive manner with each other. They learn perseverance. They realize they need to practice and be creative in order to achieve results. Most importantly they learn to apply these traits in their daily lives.”
“The prevailing financial crisis affects after-school programs. These programs need donations of sports equipment, like skateboards, to provide youth a positive environment to try new things,” said Board Rescue’s Treasurer, Andrew Huberman, PhD. “With the support of individuals and the skateboard industry we are fulfilling our mission to improve lives through skateboarding.” Donations, as little as $5, can be made directly on Board Rescue's web site www.boardrescue.org
Board Rescue is proud to have Volcom, Khiro, PleasureTool , MotionPro and SK8KINGS join the list of its supporters which also include NHS (Santa Cruz, Independent, KRUX, Creature, RICTA, MOB, Bullet), and Bell Helmets.
Board Rescue Sponsors
June 9, 2008
New Non-Profit Organization Provides Skateboards to Children
Northern California skateboarders create Board Rescue organization to provide skateboard and safety equipment to kids in need.
Palo Alto, CA -- Skateboarding is growing faster than any other sport in the United States. Lifetime skateboarders Gary Holl, Judi Oyama and Andrew Huberman, understand the benefits of skateboarding and how it can help kids better their lives. To help encourage and educate kids to the importance of quality equipment the three have founded Board Rescue. Board Rescue's Mission is to provide free skateboards and safety equipment to children, targeting low-income and at-risk youth.
Board Rescue was founded on the belief that Skateboarding can teach many life long lessons. Like any sport, quality equipment, is the best way to experience the sport. The organization will reach out to industry manufacturers to collect high quality equipment for distribution to youth charity organizations that work with underprivileged and or at-risk youth.
"I?ve been skateboarding for 33 years," said Gary Holl, President and Founder of Board Rescue. "Skateboarding has taught me many things that I use in my day-to-day and professional life. It's taught me the importance of discipline, of being able to adapt to ones environment and how to interact well with different types of people--all factors that help lead to success."
Board Rescue has received initial donations from Santa Cruz Skateboards (NHS, Inc.) "Skateboarding is a lifestyle," said Bob Denike, president of NHS-Inc and life long skateboarder. "NHS and our family of companies are proud to sponsor Board Rescue's effort to get safe, solid equipment into the hands of deserving kids."
Among the organizations first donations was to the YMCA of San Francisco, which has been the recipient of skateboards from Board Rescue. "We are going to rely on organizations like the YMCA to provide the equipment to children that really need it," said Judi Oyama, VP of Board Rescue. "With the donation of skateboards we received from Board Rescue, we are able to provide kids who may not have had a chance to skateboard with the opportunity to experience many of the great things this sport has to offer," said Crissie Ponciano, Richmond District FLEX skate Program, YMCA of San Francisco.
In addition to donating skateboarding equipment, Board Rescue members reach out to local city and school organizations to encourage both skateboarding and skateboarding safety. "Of course, all sports have inherent risks," said Andrew Huberman, PhD and Secretary/Treasurer of Board Rescue. "Understanding how to skateboard and use safety equipment correctly improves kids' chances of having a fun and not getting injured. Bottom line is that every kid should get an equal chance to get involved in skateboarding. Board Rescue's goal is to make sure they get that chance."
Visit Board Rescue on the web at www.boardrescue.org
NHS Inc is on the web at www.nhs-inc.com
YMCA of San Francisco is on the web at www.ymcasf.org
our supporters
