After dropping $1.2 million on a new skatepark, you would have thought the folks at the Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie, Texas, would have been raising money for themselves. Instead, their first major event was to raise money for the V Foundation for Cancer Research and their own Youth Program. Tomorrow, the X Trials will kick off here, but tonight it was for the kids.

Dave Mirra gives the people what they want.

The kids took the opportunity to chase pros around with Sharpies and skate decks or anything else that they could get their hands on. Some top athletes showed up a day early for the cause. Fan favorites included Dave Mirra, Ryan Nyquist and Fabiola da Silva, and each toured the grounds with their entourages in tow. While the kids pursued the pros, the parents ponied up the big bucks in auctions for everything from signed jerseys to a trip for four to the X Games. Sal Masekela assisted the auctioneer to raise the stakes and got the X Games trip to sell for $5,200. Equally effective in raising funds were the crowds of kids standing around the auction telling their parents, "I want the Tony Hawk signed skateboard."

The band "Dust for Life" does their part.

Ticket sales, private donations and auctions generated approximately $30,000 total. "This was a great start to an annual event. We're proud to be involved and play a part in contributing to these important causes," said Chris Stiepock, General Manager of the X Games.

   Send to a friend  | Most sent  | Submit your photo or video