Written on April 11, 2009

Yesterday, April 10th, we had an amazing skate session with the kids at ACTS Shelter in Dumfries.  Representatives from Loudoun County Skate Project brought a truck load of ramps, rails, and grind boxes to create a miniature skatepark in their parking lot.

For a few hours, the kids skated and biked alongside the LOCO reps up and down the ramps, some even grinding and getting air for the very first time!  Many of them had never ridden a skateboard before but in just a matter of minutes they were ecstatic about rolling over the next obstacle.  Afterward, their excitement had sparked inspiration and they were already asking for us to come back the next day.

During the week before, the Loudoun County Skate Project had gathered several skateboard products from local skate companies and stores.  We ended up putting together two complete skateboards with all of the donated products which was given to the shelter for all of the kids to share after we packed up.  Along with the skateboards we also donated a helmet, wave board, skate tool, skate video, and a bag full of stickers.  Thank you to Convoy Skateboards, Alpine Ski Shop, Elite Board Shop, All Day Skate Shop, and Stephanie Murdock for their contributions!

The Loudoun County Skate Project has hosted similar activities before and plan to make this an ongoing program.  We will actually be hosting a safety instruction and skate demonstration for an elementary school after-school group in Clifton next week.  If you or someone you know is interested in getting involved with this program or know of a place or group in need of an inspiring skateboard visit from LOCO, throw us an email and we would be more than happy to fulfill your request.