Do you ever watch the news and just feel like you wish there was something good going on in the world? With all the media focusing on the negative, sometimes you just need to hear about someone – anywhere – doing good in some way. Well we are happy to say we didn’t have to look too far to find some inspiration for the top outdoor and action sports charities in this article. Turns out, there are quite a few people doing good things, right here in our industry. Take a read and be inspired to do something good in your community – or if you are so inclined, make a donation to one of these foundations.
B4BC (Boarding For Breast Cancer)
A well known name in the snowboarding industry, and the first of it’s kind, B4BC was founded in 1996 by Lisa Hudson, Kathleen Gasparini and pro snowboarders Tina Basich and Shannon Dunn. Inspired by a young lady shredder named Monica Steward who was diagnosed with breast cancer at the young age of 26, who ended up passing just 2 short years later due to complications from late detection. “Moni” as they referred to her as, was their good friend and they started B4BC in her honor to help spread awareness and the importance of early detection to young people everywhere.
In 1998 they launched “Board-a-thons” as a way to promote healthy active lifestyles and went on tour to various events like Warped Tour, X Games and the Dew Tour. Taking it another step further, B4BC set up their Survivorship Fund in 2009 which distributes funding to breast cancer patients and connects them with nature-based wellness retreats to help them during their treatment and healing process.
Today, the group is relevant as ever, staying involved and doing their best to spread the word about the importance of early testing and detection. If you want to catch up with the B4BC crew, check out the next couple of stops on their “Shred The Love” Tour.
Skateistan
One of our personal favorite programs, Skateistan was founded in Kabul in 2007 by Australian traveler Oliver Perkovich. Oliver touched down in Kabul with a friend and a couple skateboards and what happened next was magical. He was overwhelmed by the excitement of the local children and their interest in learning to skateboard. That’s when the planning began for a small, local skateboard school for the children.
What started as a small idea eventually blossomed into a 58,000 square foot skatepark and educational facility built on a piece of land donated by the Afghan National Olympic Committee. They use skateboarding to “lure” the children and create a strong bond of trust and respect and thru that trust are able to empower the children and offer education, cross-cultural interaction and the ability to spread positivity and opportunity in their community. The kids can develop their skills, create lifelong friendships and more than anything have a safe place to grow and flourish in a way never possible before. For the girls especially, who make up a shocking 40% off the students, a place where they can be strong and powerful and learn important life lessons. The program continues to grow, with 2 new locations in Cambodia and Pakistan and future location in Mazar-e-Sharif coming in 2013.
The Chill Foundation
Founded in 1995 in Burlington, Vermont by Burton Snowboards head honcho’s Jake and Donna Carpenter, the Chill Foundation’s mission was to provide opportunities for at-risk youth to build self-esteem and life skills thru boardsports. Gaining huge popularity early on, the Chill Foundation now operates in over 10 cities and has worked with over 17,000 children.
The children involved in the Chill program come from after-school programs, group homes, various juvenile systems and some with issues at home involving drug abuse, anger management problems and depression. The majority of these kids have never left the city they live in, much less had an opportunity to be on a mountain.
The program is broken down into 6 weeks, each week focusing on life lessons – Patience, Persistence, Responsibility, Courage, Respect and Pride. In that order, each week, the kids progress and learn a lesson without even realizing it. More information on volunteering can be found here. If you’re in the Chicago area, our local Chicago Chill program operates at Raging Buffalo in Algonquin.
Alliance For The Great Lakes
You know we had to show some local love in this article, so here we go. The Alliance for the Great Lakes was founded with one goal in mind – to conserve and restore the worlds largest freshwater resource – the Great Lakes. Accounting for 21% of the world’s surface fresh water, the Great Lakes are home to countless fish and wildlife and are an asset to the land that neighbor these huge bodies of water.
Take it from us in Chicago – we see some of the worst of what can happen when people don’t care for water around them. Garbage, waste and other horrible things fill our gorgeous lakefront and the ongoing battle to bring awareness to the communities surrounding the lakes is the task at hand for the Alliance. Through education, beach clean ups and the Adopt-A-Beach Program, the Alliance continues to work towards a long, healthy, clean life for our Great Lakes.
After School Matters
Shout out to another amazing local foundation, the After School Matters Program was started by former Mayor’s Wife, Maggie Daley, in Chicago in 1991. In a large, vacant piece of land in the middle of Chicago – zoned “Block 37” – 260 teens apprenticed under respected artists in large white tents set up under the name Gallery 37.
In 2000, thanks to some additional funding, the program was able to expand to technology, sports and communication and then in 2006, thanks to another generous donation, the program was able to include science programming. This free program is offered to all CPS (and a small number of non-CPS) students and an application must be filled out to be considered for the program. The students can choose a field to further their skills in and make amazing connections for future careers and form lifelong friendships. The five focus values include Excellence, Teamwork, Respect, Commitment and Innovation. The coolest part? They offer a skateboard production and design class.
Surfrider Foundation
Surfrider was founded in 1984, by three surfers who were on a mission to protect their beloved local beach break. What began as a battle for their local surf spot has turned into a foundation that has local chapters in 18 countries all over world. Their mission has always been the same – protection and enjoyment of oceans, waves and beaches through a powerful activist network.
The group organizes beach cleanups, fights for beach access and preservation and continues to be a part the clean water movement. Surfrider has won battles all over the world including one right here in Chicago. In June 2009, Surfrider helped lift the surfing ban in the city of Chicago, opening up 4 beaches total to surf access. To see what the Surfrider foundation is currently working on, click here. Membership is only $25 annually for individuals and there are options for family memberships and gifted memberships as well.
Krochet Kids International
Kohl Crecelius’ brother taught him how to crochet. Kohl, in turn, taught his two best friends Travis and Stewart. So there they were, three high school dudes, known for their knitting skills? Maybe not the norm, but they were into snowboarding and they thought that crocheting their own beanies was a cool idea.
A few years later, Stewart had a chance to spent a summer in Uganda – little did he know, this experience would change his life forever. Stewart discovered an entire community of people that had been living in government camps for over twenty years. These people relied on their government for literally everything they had. So many of these people wanted more for themselves and their families, but previously had no opportunity to make their own living. That is where the Krochet Kids came in.
Next thing they knew, Kohl, Stewart and Travis found themselves sitting in a small hut in northern Uganda with a group of local women eager to learn a new skill and make a living for themselves. Five years later, Krochet Kids employs over 150 people in two locations (Uganda and Peru), promote education and personal growth, pay a fair wage and give these people a chance to make a better life for their families. Learn more about the women involved in this program here.
POW (Protect Our Winters)
Pro snowboarder Jeremy Jones has seen some pretty amazing things in his travels over the years. Unfortunately, one of those “amazing” things is the effect that climate change is having on some of the worlds most beautiful ski and snowboard locations. After watching one too many once-rideable mountains close down due to lack of snow, he decided it was time to do something about it.
In 2007, POW was born. Jeremy wanted to find a way to involve the snow sports industry in various environmental efforts to preserve, protect and take action to reduce the effects of climate change. Through education, activism and community involvement, Jeremy took to the people that climate change was affecting most (the snow sports industry) and got them on board to be part of solution. The POW foundation has already had some great victories and continues to work hard to educate the world in the importance of clean air and the effects of climate change. Want to do your part to keep our winters alive? Click here and take the POW Seven Pledge.
That rounds up our top outdoor and action sports charities. There are definitely others out there but this list highlights some of the best ones around that are truly doing good for the future of the industry and the planet. Have a good outdoor or action sport based charity? We would love to hear from you below!