Classic SkateMD Circle Logo tee – the same logo we furnish for volunteers of our clinics! This is the mainstay design and is our logo, can be found on several other garments (coming soon!) and is even tattooed on members of our board of directors! Check it out – the heart’s made from skateboards! Sizes S-XXL.
But what is SkateMD all about? SkateMD is a Northern CA-based nonprofit organization sharing kindness and skateboarding through one-on-one skateboard clinics for children with special needs ages 5-17.
SkateMD was created as the co-founders’ heartfelt response to a viral video of a hate crime against a teenage boy with Autism. As members of skateboarding families and strong advocates of kindness, the quickly-formed board of directors set out to empower children with exercise, positive interactions, and fun while increasing tolerance, compassion, and support within the community.
By the end of 2018, the program had celebrated four years of programming and over 30 clinics serving children with Autism, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Paralysis, and other special needs. Each clinic hosts about 25 children and approximately 70 amazing volunteers, 50-60 who are local area skateboarders. It can be hard for the organizers to exactly describe the magic of the program but parent feedback helps: “My face hurts from smiling. This experience is one of the ONLY times that I felt my eight year old kid fit in, was safe and supported, and I could step back and watch the awesome.”
As an all-volunteer program, donations and funds raised through merchandise sales go directly to planning and carrying out the sought-after program as the only of its kind in the local area. On behalf of the children, parents, and volunteers – the program thanks you for your support! Wear your heart with pride and share our kindness story.