One day in November of 2006 there were a couple families of skateboarders and a few other friends skating at the historic Bro Bowl in downtown Tampa. A few of the local children were there watching excitedly.

The elders were talking about the fact that ever since the day this park was built (1979) the locals never seemed to have their own skateboards, but were always stoked to borrow one of the visiting skaters' boards.

An idea began to form. Perhaps we should give them boards? We could afford to do that easily. No. Perhaps we could try and get the city to organize a parks and recreation service to facilitate loaner boards. No.

After an hour or so an idea began to formulate. We have thousands of skaters in Tampa Bay. Hundreds a day buy new equipment. Why not get them to donate their old stuff?

To whom? How? Who would have the capacity to do this? Who is going to believe a couple guys with an idea? Who is going to gather, stage, and assemble a bunch of old worn out skateboards?

More time to think was needed, but something would be done. A week or so later, Paul Schmitt, Ryan Clements, and Ed Womble met at Skatepark of Tampa to discuss this 'something'.

Paul was incredibly enthusiastic and pushed Ryan and Ed together to work this out. Ryan and Ed did not even know each other. Due to Paul's impetus we forged on.

We decided that we would use our limited time to collect as many boards and parts from our local skaters to accumulate a first time effort at this effort.

Ryan organized a barbeque at the Bro Bowl. Come donate some parts and you get free lunch and of course skate the Bro Bowl. Many came and the day was fabulous. It coincided with a large local gathering as well. This allowed us to promote the Santa giveaway coming the Saturday before Christmas.

Remember, this is three weeks before Christmas. Through our connections we were able to gather 30 or so boards. Then a strange thing happened. People began donating brand new complete boards.