Wes Kremer, Brandon Turner, John Gardner, and a group of local skateboarders in Illinois recently united for two impactful community outreach events in Naperville and Chicago.
These events aimed to raise awareness about suicide prevention and education through skateboarding, thanks to the efforts of Nothing But Today and Max's Mission—a non-profit organization dedicated to the memory of Max Wijangco, who tragically died by suicide at the age of 15 on March 10, 2022.
"Our hope is to provide mental health education through skateboarding by creating safe spaces to have difficult conversations," John Gardner at Nothing But Today mentions. "Skateparks and skate shops are places of refuge for so many people which is why we feel it's important to meet people in the places they feel safe in order to have productive conversations about the challenges of life."
Aside from being a ripping skateboarder, John Gardner has always done a great job advocating for positive mental health through skateboarding. And personally, I think it's incredible how far he's come. The best part is, he's just getting started. Nothing But Today is something that we've needed in skateboarding (and really, just in general) for a long time. So hats off to John for all of his hard work. Such a legend.
More about Max's Mission:
"Max's Mission provides support, education, and empowerment to those impacted by suicide loss through postvention and community outreach."
Both Max's Mission and Nothing But Today are incredible organizations. The impact of their work is impossible to ignore, and so important, simply witnessing the positive difference they make in the lives of those who need it most is incredibly humbling, to say the very least.
It's moments like this that remind us why skateboarding is truly the best thing on the planet. And just remember—if you're struggling, just know that you are never alone and that there are people out there who care for you deeply and are here to help. Learn more here.
