Skaters Raise Funds

For Haitian Orphanage

BROOKFIELD — Thanks to a skating competition and fundraising event held recently at Vertigo Skatepark, a few more orphans in Haiti can now attend a school in Port-a-Prince. The orphanage, Divine Ministry – Hope for Children, headed by Jean Daniel, provides housing, food, medical help, spiritual development, and other critical services for children who are often abandoned.

The funds were raised by skaters who competed in three categories: skateboarding, heelys, and rollerblades. The group, which included about a dozen Newtown skaters, was also divided by ability: newbies, beginners, intermediate, and expert skaters.

Each skater was given two chances to flaunt all of their best tricks before a panel of five judges, and the highest overall scores of the night walked away with the best prizes, regardless of the category in which they were competing. Among those participating in the event was Newtown resident and skater Julian Lewis.

As a result, some 50 skaters and their parents donated funds at the event that totaled $400, a tenth of the $4,000 needed for all 50 children at the orphanage. For every $50 dollars raised, one Haitian child will be able to attend school this year.

“There was a great amount of energy in the park as our best skaters pushed themselves to their limit,” said Bryn Gillette, who coordinated the event at the Brookfield skatepark. “I am also so excited to see this young generation of Americans engaging with global concerns of poverty. We are sincerely grateful for our sponsors: Vertigo, Heelys, the Garrett and the Peet family, who generously donated prizes for the competition winners.”

Plans are already underway, according to Ms Gillette, to hold another similar event next year.

Vertigo Skatepark, at 105 Gray’s Bridge Road, is a 10,000-square-foot indoor, climate controlled facility. It features a 6-foot high half-pipe, micro pipe, street room, and bowl room. Also it has the only “cradle” in western Connecticut. Additional information is available by calling 775-3993 or by visiting VertigoCT.com.