Westlake youth donates wheels to others
By Sophia Fischer sfischer@theacorn.com

GOOD DEED- Devin Schneider, 13, of Oak Park, displays the skateboards that he is donating to the nonprofit group Boarding House Mentors as part of his bar mitzvah project. Devin used his own money and cash donations to repair and recondition the boards in the family garage. IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers

Skateboarding is such a fun activity for Devin Schneider, a 13yearold from Westlake Village, that he wants to share it with others.

The Lindero Canyon Middle School eighth-grader collected skateboard decks, trucks, wheels and bearings donated by friends, family and local businesses and put together 32 skateboards with plans to donate them. Using his allowance and donations from relatives and friends, and money earned recycling plastic bottles, Devin raised another $300 for supplies needed to finish off the boards.

"I skateboard every time I can," Devin said. "To let other people have that chance is the best thing."

The endeavor began as a bar mitzvah project for Devin, who marked the milestone in July in Israel and in September at Temple Adat Elohim in Thousand Oaks. He knew he wanted to give the boards away but wasn't sure who to give them to until he read an Oct. 26 article in The Acorn.

The story on Boarding House Mentors, a nonprofit group that helps at-risk inner-city youth by teaching them to surf and snowboard, gave Devin a cause to give the skateboards to, according to his mom, Mindy Schneider. The organization is starting a new skateboarding program this spring for troubled youth.

"We thought giving away the skateboards would be the easy part, but we didn't really know where they would go until we saw the story," Schneider said.

Devin came up with the idea of refurbishing skateboards after a conversation with his rabbi about ideas for community service. An avid skateboarder, it seemed natural for Devin to provide skateboarding equipment for disadvantaged kids. He sent a letter to his family and friends appealing for support, and enlisted the help of Transition skate shop in Moorpark.

"Devin's friends were so gracious. Many have four or five skateboards each," Schneider said. "This was a project they all could participate in."

When donations started coming in, Devin set up shop in his garage to repair and refurbish equipment several times a week after doing his homework. His friends helped him with some repairs.

"He learned through trial and error to do everything," Schneider said. "Everything started as independent entities. He had to match trucks to boards and oil (the) bearings."

Through a relative, Devin also collected donations of skateboard clothing from Globe, Ernie and other manufacturers.

He presented the equipment and clothing to representatives from Boarding House Mentors on Thurs., Feb. 1.

Vans Skate Park in Orange County recently donated time at its facility to the program, Executive Director Grace PadillaKastenberg said. She credited Devin with helping Boarding House establish the skateboarding program and invited him to attend its inaugural event.

"We are humbled by Devin's generous nature and that at such a young age he recognizes that one of the highest callings we have as humans is to give back," Padilla-Kastenberg said. "I'm not sure Devin quite understands the gravity of his donation and his efforts and how this will bring smiles to kids who don't have the opportunities afforded like we do here in the Conejo Valley."

Devin's efforts have inspired other local teens, PadillaKastenberg said. One boy has contacted the organization about collecting donations of helmets and protective gear to go along with the skateboards from Devin.

For more information on Boarding House Mentors, visit www.boardinghousementors.org.