But there are other times when you can see the exact moment you made an impact on someone else's life. The way their face lights up or the way the tears swell in proud parents' eyes. That's when you know you've made a difference.That's what it's all about.
Megabolt is a company that is all about making differences in childrens' lives. They do this mostly through art but there are a lot of ways - emotionally, physically, mentally, they change a life.
About 6 months ago, I approached my friend Steven to design our 2013 Avalia skateboard deck. Steven and I were colleagues for a while, and I knew that he had the skills to come up with something great for us. Well he came up with something bigger than I could have ever imagined. The words "workshop", "kids", "designers", "skateboards", and "big collaborative show" came up so frequently in our conversations it was hard to contain the excitement we were all feeling in anticipation of what would soon be the Ride On show.
In April Steven, Julie, and Brett, along with other members of Megabolt put this into motion by meeting up with Joe Henry - a really rad little dude who LOVES skateboarding. Joe Henry and Brett came up with some really fun designs using crafty mediums which Brett ultimately digitized into the final design. Our 2013 Avalia deck.
Along with this workshop 49 blank skateboard decks went out to 49 artists from Portland and surrounding areas. These were auctioned off at the show, proceeds going to Megabolt.
Because the show was in Portland, and we were in Wisconsin, we felt helpless at times because we couldn't be there helping with the massive amount of coordination it took to pull this off. But when we got to Portland we were lucky enough to be there to help with the complete set up of the show. It also gave us a chance to meet and get to know the people who had been donating their time and efforts towards the show.
I think the most exciting part for us was actually getting to meet Joe Henry in person. The way he stood up at the top of the skateboard ramp with Steven and Brett just so proud and so humbled to be a part of this just made us feel so happy and so grateful to be a part of this. You could see the tears forming in Joe Henry's mom & dad's eyes as they admired their son and his work. And the sense of relief that was felt among the Megabolt crew and ourselves when the last few people headed out the doors with their new decks in hand and smiles on their faces.
To be a part of something that is bigger than an idea, bigger than you or me, bigger than any of us could have ever imagined. That's what it's all about.
To learn more check out Megabolt, Ride On PDX, & Avalia.
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