VISTA, CA--(Marketwire - Nov 8, 2011) - There's never a dull moment when you have a Vert demo that includes Tony Hawk giving an awe-inspiring performance while 14-year-old prodigy Mitchie Brusco holds his own with the likes of Elliot Sloan, Andy Macdonald, and Pierre Luc Gagnon "PLG," Lyn-Z Adams Hawkins Pastrana and BMX legend Mat Hoffman pulling sick tricks -- all during Grammy-winning singer-songwriter, musician, and Tony Hawk Foundation Board Member Ben Harper's rocking performance with his band.
The fun and excitement befitting "The Entertainment Capital of The World" was enjoyed by a crowd of 850 guests on Saturday at the 3rd Annual DaGeDar Presents Stand Up For Skateparks benefit held at Red Rock Casino ~ Resort ~ Spa in Las Vegas.
Rubbing elbows with celebrities and their families including Holly Madison, Carrot Top, David Copperfield, 'Pawn Stars' Rick Harrison, Alison Victoria, pro NASCAR driver Taylor Barton, Tillman the Skateboarding Dog, Travis Pastrana, Sal Masekela, Mike "Rooftop" Escamilla, Rodney Mullen, Mike Vallely, Ricardo Laguna and actor, comedian Rob Riggle guests came together to support the Tony Hawk Foundation's mission to build free, quality public skateparks in low-income areas nationwide. Attendees enjoyed the family-oriented action-sports festival with games, great food, one-of-a-kind auction items, and lots of giveaways.
"It was our best Vegas event by far, thanks to Red Rock, Ben Harper, and the level of talent on the ramp," said Tony Hawk. "We also had some truly unique auction items that helped to raise good money for more skateparks. My kids had a blast!"
Through the generosity and support by those in attendance, the event was able to raise $640,000 for the Tony Hawk Foundation's mission to provide at-risk youth with an opportunity to participate in a fun, safe and healthy activity, including $37,000 to help create a new public skatepark in the Las Vegas area. Funds raised through a live and silent auction featuring the ultimate Jane's Addiction meet and greet at The Joint, Dinner with Tony Hawk at the Simon Restaurant & Lounge, a Tony Hawk Edition 2012 Ford Explorer customized by Galpin Auto Sports and DUB, and a Roland Sands Design "Hawkized" Triumph Thruxton motorcycle contributed significantly.
DaGeDar Presents Stand Up For Skateparks was Co-Chaired by Tony Hawk and fellow THF Board Member and skate legend Mike Vallely. The Benefit Committee included prominent supporters such as Andre Agassi, Michael "Flea" Balzary, Ron Burkle, Chantal and Stephen Cloobeck, Jamie Lee Curtis, Patrick Dempsey, Jon Favreau, Perry Farrell, Leeza Gibbons, Brian Austin Green, Robin and Danny Greenspun, Ben Harper, Mat Hoffman, Terry Kennedy, Anthony Kiedis, Bobby Kotick, Chuck Liddell, Howie Mandel, Sal Masekela, Lance Mountain, Andrew and Trina Pascal, Andrew Reynolds, David Spade, Bill Walton, and Shaun White.
In true Stand Up For Skateparks fashion, a pledge drive was announced to benefit a local Las Vegas skatepark project. Youth and their parents from challenged communities throughout Las Vegas were in attendance as Tony Hawk made a pledge from the foundation and encouraged guests to purchase an autographed Tony Hawk Birdhouse pro-model skateboard in the Silent Auction, with 100% of proceeds going to a new skatepark in Las Vegas. Through November, you can also support this project and receive a signed Tony Hawk skateboard. Go to www.skatelasvegas.org to make your pledge.
Tony Hawk launched his Stand Up For Skateparks fundraiser in 2004 with the goal to increase the number of safe, legal, healthy recreational outlets for youth in low-income communities across the U.S. To-date, the Tony Hawk Foundation has helped fund 493 public skateboard parks, which now service more than 3.5-million youth annually.
DaGeDar Presents Stand Up For Skateparks was made possible through the support of Ex Drinks, Activision, Red Rock Casino ~ Resort ~ Spa, Kohl's, Quiksilver Foundation, Tech Deck, and Sweetwater Video. To learn more about the benefit, please visit www.standupforskateparks.org.
A charitable, non-profit organization, the Tony Hawk Foundation was established in 2002 by its namesake, professional skateboarder Tony Hawk, to promote and provide funds for high-quality public skateparks in low-income areas throughout the United States -- with an emphasis on the word "quality." Since then, the Foundation has awarded $3,972,350 to 493 communities. The Foundation focuses on working with local officials and grassroots, community-based organizations that plan to hire designers and contractors with strong experience designing and building skateparks.
The Tony Hawk Foundation was established by a gift from Tony Hawk. Its directors raise additional funds through events, industry donations, and continuing contributions from Tony and other entities. In addition to skateparks, the Foundation also makes donations to other children-related charities, as chosen by its Board Of Directors. For more information or to make a donation, visit the Foundation's Web site at www.tonyhawkfoundation.org.