The LOP Kids...Rep the fellow charitables!!
One of my goals for Project Trident is to roll it into something valuable for the community. One of the things I would like to do is to acknowledge and promote other social entrepreneuers. The first organization I would like to start with is The Land of Plenty Skateboarding Foundation.
MISSION
The Land Of Plenty is a non-profit community development organization based in Los Angeles, California with a mission to encourage creative physical education and artistic expression through the culture and activity of skateboarding. By encouraging kids to create, learn, and share, the LOP builds confidence, opportunity, and stronger bonds for our youth and communities.
HISTORY
The Land Of Plenty was conceived in 2002 in Los Angeles, California, and has since extended across the country and worldwide. The LOP is comprised of and supported by a close-knit community of cultural instigators- professional and amateur skaters and artists- alongside passionate and vocal youth, parents, teachers, and community leaders.
Using these relationships and the cultural and communal aspects of skateboarding, the LOP focuses on programs to encourage and enhance creative physical education, inspire and cultivate artistic expression, and empower individuals and communities to communicate and grow.
I think the greatest part about skateboarding foundations is that no two are alike. The Land of Plenty takes a unique approach about skateboard art and graphics (hence my piggy-backing Day 5 of art week). One of their mainstream events and fundraisers are art shows by local students painting skateboard decks and then auctioning them off as well as traveling to depressed locations and conducting board exchanges . You should all check out their site here because they regularly have boards for sale on-line and we all could help a great cause. Plus, who doesnt want a wall full of skateboard decks…I have one and its rad AND the ladies love it!
Black and White...and Artistic
The moral of repping some of the other foundations out there is that we never can have too many. In the world of charitables, there are so many requirements and regulations that can get you into serious trouble, the cost is prohibitive to those in it for all of the wrong reasons. And the ones who are smart enough to get past those road blocks, will be transparent to their donors and sponsors that will eventually lead to their demise. I recently conducted an interview for AccessAthletes.com with a founder of another non-profit foundation who said that we all have something to give, whether its our money or just our time. But there will always be someone out there who needs us and we should recognize that. I hope you all check the LOP site and support local organizations like it. We all have something to give and what’s better than lending a helping hand.
