Mike Rogers is a legend himself, a two-time cancer survivor who lost an eye several years ago during his second bout with this disease. His first encounter with cancer took place when he was a young teen. This hasn't stopped Mike from doing anything, including skating.

In fact today, at the ripe old age of 41, Mike skates better than most skateboarders in spite of his physical/visual handicap. He has competed in major pro contests over the last couple years. Supporters of Mike's cause have included skaters like Benji Galloway and Mike Vallely.

Mike and his Grind For Life foundation provide not only financial assistance to elgible cancer patients, but unfettered optimism and determination. Mike has also been running a very successful competition series in Florida called the Grind For Life Contest Series. In just a few short years his event has become a tradition that everyone looks forward to. Competitiors have come from as far away as Japan.

More information on the contest series and the Grind For Life Foundation can be found on their web site.

Official website:
http://www.GrindForLife.org/

Paul Schmitt's
CreateAskate

Craig Snyder has also been donating time to Paul Schmitt's new organization, CreateAskate. Paul emerged out of the Tampa, Florida skate scene in the 1970's as a 15 year old with an idea, only to become one of the most influential and important board manufacturers on the planet. It all began with with a homegrown operation called Schmitt Stix that he started running out of his garage in 1978. In fact, the majority of the quality skateboard decks you see any shop all around the world were most likely made by Paul's present company, PS STIX, located in Costa Mesa, California.

Paul is now passing the torch, bringing his expertise, enthusiasm and love for learning to school kids all over the country through his newly formed CreateAskate non-profit organization. His program is available to any school who wishes to particpate and at an exceedingly reasonable cost for the curriculum materials.

The program is a comprehensive hands-on learning experience which is centered around each participating student making their own skateboard deck. Through the ever-popular skateboard, the program invokes mathematics, science, ecology, language skills, design and engineering. More information on this cooperative learning experience—whether you are a student, teacher or school administrator—can be found at the CreateAskate web site.

Official website:
http://www.CreateAskate.org/