We made it through the first part of 2010 with a stronger resolve than ever. Even in our uncertain economy, we manage to continue providing for many needy communities and our efforts are gaining momentum. The credit goes to our dedicated staff and our amazing donors. But there is plenty of work to be done and we are up to the challenge.

In 2009, we hosted two Stand Up For Skateparks Events (our sixth-annual in Beverly Hills and our first in Las Vegas), raising over $1.5-million. I think our experience showed—we’ve learned a great deal over the years, in terms of hosting successful events. And we are confident that we can do better this year.

Last year we awarded $455,000 dollars to 38 communities, and began 2010 with another $150,000 to 19 more. The best part of these statistics is that 77% of projects funded since THF’s inception are open. In total we’ve awarded 463 grants worth over 3.2-million dollars to help build public skateparks in low-income areas.

I cannot stress enough the importance of skateparks in high-risk areas—they offer kids a safe place to go and something to do that gives them a sense of self-esteem they may never find anywhere else. This is especially true when those very kids were the ones petitioning the city with the hope of getting their own place to skate. Once communities get their first park, they almost always build more because they see the enduring positive effects they have on kids. Not to mention that the parks get used from dawn to dusk.

Our annual Stand Up For Skateparks benefit keeps growing. We look forward to two great events this year after setting a new standard in 2009. The sixth-annual Stand Up For Skateparks was held, once again, at Ron Burkle’s Green Acres estate in Beverly Hills, California, where a slew of celebrities and guests enjoyed plenty of activities and some great entertainment. The vert demo featured a virtual A-list of talent: Andy Macdonald, Pierre-Luc Gagnon, Kevin Staab, Lincoln Ueda, Simon Tabron, and Coco Zurita (plus yours truly). I even managed to pull my first 900 in years. And blink-182 took a break from their long-anticipated reunion tour to rock the [Burkle] house. Guests mingled with stars like Tommy Lee, Tom Green, Danny Way, Victoria Beckham, Chris “Big Black” Boykin, Jon Favreau, Mat Hoffman, Chuck Liddell, Terry Kennedy, Fred Durst, Johnny Knoxville, Travis Barker, Erik Estrada, Verne Troyer, Tom DeLonge, Perry Farrell, David Spade, Mark Hoppus, Paul Rodriguez, Jr., and event emcee Sal Masekela.

Youths from the Watts district of Los Angeles were in attendance, and we managed to help raise 43,500 dollars for a public skatepark project near the iconic Watts Towers. This project was brought to our attention via the dedicated skatepark advocates in Watts, not the least of whom is Los Angeles City Council Member Janice Hahn. We were honored to kickstart the funding for this landmark skatepark. In the months since Stand Up For Skateparks, we’ve managed to raise a total of 80,000 dollars to get things rolling.

Stand Up For Skateparks also traveled to Las Vegas, Nevada. Held at the Wynn Las Vegas, my ramp was placed on top of one of their swimming pools. The scene was a surreal mix of action sports, celebrities, and amazing views. It was attended by the likes of Andre Agassi, Erik Estrada, BMX legend Mat Hoffman, Elaine Wynn, T.J. Lavin, Holly Madison, Sal Masekela, Aubrey O’Day, UFC fighters Chuck Liddell, Frank Mir, and Gray Maynard, UFC President Dana White, and others. And the Vert Demo featured Andy Macdonald, Bucky Lasek, Lyn-Z Adams Hawkins, and Kevin Staab, plus BMX pros Jamie Bestwick, Simon Tabron, and Dennis McCoy. The crowd was also treated to a special performance by Rancid. Our Pledge Drive raised 80,000 dollars to improve Freedom Skatepark in East Las Vegas, a neighborhood challenged by high crime and poverty.

Skateparks are on the rise, but we still need plenty more of them, built correctly, and located in communities where kids are most at-risk. We are committed to helping those in need now more than ever. With your help, we will.

Here’s to a happy, healthy, and skatepark-abundant 2010,