SHRED Charlotte

Now in it’s 9th year SHRED (SHRED= Skaters Helping Realize Extraordinary Dreams) started as FB mention by a 13 year old who wanted to use skateboarding as a way to help in his community. He hoped that through a day of skating we could raise money for cancer research or similar charitable foundation. As a graduate of Recreation and Leisure Studies (Yep, that’s a thing!) from SUNY Cortland I was compelled to use my talents to organize an event that would help realize this vision. SHRED for Gabe began as a humble skate event at a skatepark in Rock Hill combining a day of skating with raffles, silent auction, food, music, skate contests and just a darn good time! We had decided to help a local family who’s son, Gabe, was born with Spina Bifida (the base of his spinal cord was outside of his body at birth). The Ospina family had paid dearly, both emotionally and financially, to get Gabe the best opportunity to someday walk and defy the doctor’s preliminary diagnosis of a life in a wheelchair and diapers. They had already gone abroad 2 times for Stem Cell Therapy, costing $32,000 and $16,000 respectively. As the organizer, I felt that "kids helping kids" was the best use of our time and efforts to get the most benefit both for the recipient family and the kids who were helping out. We both affected the local community and the kids who helped got to meet and become friends with the family we were helping and could watch over time as Gabe got stronger and, eventually, walks into the skatepark, which in some small way, we would have helped accomplish. At the first SHRED event we were lucky enough to meet Gabe’s best friend, Luke Rainwater, a small, birdlike little fellow who also was born with Spina Bifida. He was in his glory as some of the bigger skaters pushed him, in his wheelchair, up and down the ramps. I, shortly thereafter, asked if the Ospina’s minded if we planned a second event with Luke Rainwater as another beneficiary. The Ospina’s were more than happy to split the loot! So SHRED was officially created as a long standing annual event to help families, while secondarily making sure that kids who help, work, volunteer, and participate can see and experience firsthand what the results of their labors have fruited. As a bonus, we hope that as a community of skateboarders, the general population sees us in a more positive light. We have raised over $100,000 combined for the first 9 events. This year, SHRED's main event was at Hopfly Brewery on May 14th and has morphed into a Skate Deck Art show and Auction. We gathered an impressive array of artists from around the country and locally to “Art-Up” a skateboard deck and held a silent auction. We will be hosting a second Shred event this summer on July 31st in Waxhaw. This second event will have two parts. The first, at Waxhaw skatepark, is from 11-12:30 and will be a skateboarding event. sign up for the event will start at 10am at Waxhaw skatepark and we will have prizes afterwards. The second event on July 31st. will be at Dreamchaser Brewery in Waxhaw and the surrounding street. We are turning Waxhaw into a street festival with a DJ, food trucks, art vendors, and art for sale at Dreamchaser Brewery. All purchases from the Shred art wall at Dreamchaser Brewery will go directly to supporting Shred. All are welcome to this event. The vision of SHRED has been to "adopt" families, following the kids as they grow and helping to provide them with one to: help with medical and therapy bills, purchase equipment or whatever situation arises that benefits the family. Our "family" is now 7 families including Josh Bridgewater, the oldest living skate boarder in the world born with spina bifida. Our links:
Insta: shredclt
FB: https://www.facebook.com/shredclt
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