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

June 9, 2008

The Skateboarders' Journal joins Board Rescue

The Skateboarder's Journal pledges to support Board Rescue by donating 5% of all advertising revenues generated by TSJ members clicking on the Google ads you see on their pages. TSJ will also donate 5% of sales of all banner ads to Board Rescue. "We are pleased to have the support of TSJ and applaud their efforts to help our mission of providing skateboards to kids in need", said Judi Oyama, VP of Board Rescue.