With skateboarding making its debut in the Olympics and the nation’s largest skatepark in our community, skateboarding is seeing an explosion of interest nationally AND locally. We launched the Get on Board Project in 2022 with the simple goal of getting more kids on skateboards, regardless of their financial means.
Skateboarding is a unique activity because it combines extreme physical exertion with precise muscle coordination and balance. It’s a great activity for kids’ physical and mental health. Skateboarding also encourages kids to interact with one another and builds vital social and interpersonal skills. Skateboarding also teaches perseverance.
In 2022 through Skate DSM’s Get on Board Project, gave out nearly 500 high-quality, complete skateboards and helmets to kids in the Des Moines area.
Eligibility
To be eligible for this project, you must:
- Be enrolled in school in Polk, Dallas, or Warren county in grades K-8,
- Have a passion for and want to try skateboarding,
- Complete the application below
How to apply
This form is intended to gather information about prospective skateboard recipients. Skate DSM is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to grow the skateboard community in the Des Moines metro area. To be considered for a helmet and skateboard, applicants must be enrolled in school (grades K-8) in Polk, Dallas, or Warren counties. Applicants must also complete the form below, and please be as detailed as possible as the answers to these questions will help us determine the recipients.
Equipment recipients will be notified by email and text with details on how to pick their new skateboard and helmet at future distribution events.
Project Sponsors and Supporters
- Atlantic Bottling Company
- Community Choice Credit Union
- Cultivating Compassion: The Dr. Richard Deming Foundation
- Holmes Murphy & Associates
- MidAmerican Energy
- Virginia & Nix Lauridsen
- Simonson Charitable Fund
- Carl & Susan Voss
- Variety – the Children’s Charity
- Gartner Family Foundation
- G. David Hurd & Trudy Holman Hurd Fund
- William C. Knapp Charitable Foundation
- Mrs. Christine Lauridsen Sand
- Jill & Mark Oman
- Roger Brooks-Saulene Richer Fund
- Mollie Baker
- Divitia, LLC
- EMC Insurance Foundation
- Dr. Phyllis & Edgar Hansell
- Hicklin Power Sports
- Justin & Alison Osborne
- Bob Riley
- Voss Distributing
- Casey’s
- Iowa State Bank
- Connie Wimer
- Blank Children’s Hospital
- Children & Family Urban Movement
- Des Moines Public Schools
- Element Skateboards
- Fareway Stores
- Polk County
- Polk County Conservation
- Protec
- Subsect Skate Shop
Testimonials
Addilyn loves her new skateboard. Seeing her gain confidence while trying a new sport like skateboarding is wonderful. Addilyn knows the importance of wearing her helmet because of the intentional guidance she received from Skate DSM. She hopes to continue to practice and build momentum to try new things on her skateboard and grow in strength and courage.
– Nicole Van Houten
Izzie absolutely loves her skateboard. She is always trying to find different ways to travel and skateboarding is no different. She will put her helmet on and skate down our driveway to her friends house or as far as she can get! Her brother is currently showing her new tricks to try at the skatepark!
– Beth Chrzastek
Kilian was thrilled to receive his new skateboard! It made the whole experience even better that he was able to attend the Dew Tour in combination with receiving his board. Kilian loves to join his older cousin (who also received a new board) at the skate park and practice new moves. The skater community make’s learning extremely easy by being such an open and welcoming place.
– Patty Toth