Jason Knight is a longtime supporter of B4BC’s Skate the Lake and Skate the Coast series, and has always managed to be on of our top fundraisers every year! This year at Skate the Lake he came in second place, raising over $2,000 for Boarding for Breast Cancer’s education and prevention programs. This is how he does it, and why the cause is so important to him and his family.
How long have you been involved with B4BC’s Skate Series?
I have been doing Skate the Lake for 9 years now. I missed the very first one but I have been there ever since. I got involved with Skate the Lake after I saw a flier in the window at Tahoe Dave’s. I have been a skateboarder since I was about 8 years old and thought it would be fun to participate. To be honest, I didn’t know much about B4BC until after my first Skate the Lake, but I live the cause and I support B4BC. In 2007 my son Collin was born. He has been skating with me since day one. I want to be a good role model and father. I want my sons to understand that we can do things to help others and have fun doing it.
Tell us a little bit about why the cause is important to you.
In about 2005 my aunt was diagnosed with breast cancer. She had a bilateral mastectomy and chemo. She has been in remission since about 2006. To see what she went through, impacted me a lot. I have other family members that were affected by other types of cancer and I feel that the B4BC message of a healthy active lifestyle and being aware of our body, is important for everyone. My wife and I both work in the health care field. She is a Nurse and I am a Paramedic. We see sick and injured patients everyday. We are fortunate to be caring individuals who can stand in some else’s shoes and be in the position to help. We are thankful for that!
You’ve been one of our top fundraisers multiple time, raising thousands of dollars online for B4BC! What are some of the fundraising techniques that you use?
For fundraising, I look to my wife. She is amazing! We are blessed to have a lot of friends and family. Skate the Lake is the one fundraiser that we pull out all the stops for. Our strategy is to reach as many people as possible. We set up our fundraising page ASAP, then make fliers to post around work and to hand out to people. We explain what Skate the Lake is and what B4BC is and why we are doing it. Many times, people have their own stories of cancer and how it has affected them or their family and friends. Listening, remembering, and caring. Accomplishing a large feat brings attention to any cause. Skateboarding 28 miles is a large feat! Collin has been riding around on the nose of my longboard for years now. I finally had to kick him off onto his own board to make room for Dylan. A 7 year old, skateboarding 28 miles is a really large feat! We are so proud of him! Not only because he finished, but because it’s in his heart. People see that and they understand how much it means to us to be a part of the Skate the Lake and B4BC family.
Basically:
-Relate to the cause and believe in it with all your heart
– Spread the word by any means possible
-Involve as many people as possible- friends and family can fundraise too.
-Listen to other people’s stories and put yourself in their shoes
-Find ways to push yourself
– Inspire others to find their cause (or yours)
-Make it easy to donate
– Every little bit helps
– Have Fun!
What is your plan for next year?
Over the last several years of Skate the Lake, we have accumulated a bunch of skateboards from being top fundraisers and winning raffles. Next year my goal is to get a posse of fundraisers, put them all on boards, and have them all participate at Skate the Lake. I’ve had a few friends participate over the year. I hope to bring them back.
