Upper West Skates is more than just a skate shop. It is currently one of, if not the MOST important safe spaces on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. A place where any and everyone from any and all walks of life can walk through those doors and feel safe, like being at home. A place where people, parents, and community members feel safe and at ease knowing their children frequent a space where the owner, Chris Vidal (that's me!), shares the same values as them.

I am aiming to raise $3000 in funds to bring InstarampNY to The Upper West Side on June 1st to the West 109th Street Block Association summer kick-off Block Party!!

A day of family fun and prizes, an actual mini ramp, and free access to it! I will be having Stoked.org on site offering free skate lessons, mentorship, and true neighborhood community engagement.

This would definitely be a first-time event for the UWS as we would be bringing a portable mini ramp on the back of a hitch to the block to teach these kids how to skate a mini ramp!! A 27’ long by 12’ wide mini ramp on the streets of the Upper West Side!!!

So I am imploring, I am reaching out, basically I'm begging you for help! Please, please, please help me make this dream become a reality. Please help me bring free skate lessons, mentorship, and free giveaways to the block party. Please, because I'm already paying $300 to have a live band. I’ve set aside approximately $1200 of skate products and merchandise to give away at my own expense. But that’s not all; prior to Sunday, June 1st, on Saturday, May 31st, I’ll be having an in-store, on-the-block, outside-the-shop style three-year celebration with free food, giveaways, a live band, special guests, and so much more, all free for anyone that comes through.

Understand, the Upper West Skates shop is single-handedly responsible for the growth and development of every single kid, adult, any individual that steps into the shop. This is much more than a store for these kids; it’s truly an institution of sorts. I may be called a small business, but there isn’t anything small about building up, developing, teaching, mentoring, and supporting each other through the art of skateboarding, the most diverse and inclusive community ever! PeriodT.

I truly believe that each one teach one, and in this community of skaters, not haters. To me and us, it’s all about bringing each other together for a better cause, a better feel, a smoother ride, and an even better experience you can tell others about.

With all that said, it has been an amazing three years! I have created and produced four amazing community events, offering and delivering over 150 meals to participants and visitors per event, so over 600 free meals given to anyone and everyone that showed up. We were able to give away over $20k in cash and prizes across the four events. Help me make this one even better.