SkaterAid: Guestbook

awesome event. check this site www.friscoskateboards.com peace

Leo

October 20, 2007

skater aid was awsome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I went to the 2nd and third.
so skateraid is awsome!!!!!!!!!!!!!
keep on shreding Ian,
Leo

Laura

October 16, 2007

Thanks to all of you...the volunteers, sponsors, artists, musicians and attendees...we raised $11,630 for the Brain Tumor Foundation for Children! This meant so much to the organization and we appreciate the hard work and generous spirits of all of you who were part of SkaterAid 3!

Cathy

October 11, 2007

Had a great time and was honored to help with such a great and noble organization. Loved having all the kids there! Congratulations to the founding team....excellent event.

Laura Deming

September 19, 2007

What can I say?! I am so honored to be part of this event and to live in the wonderful community of Decatur, whose citizens turned out in great numbers (over 700 strong) to show their support for one another and particularly, for the Wochatz family. I so appreciate the 80+ volunteers and the wonderful musicians, artists and sponsors who make SkaterAid possible. Hats off in particular to Patrice and Volkmar, Thomas Taylor from Stratosphere, Olive Hagemeier and the awesome trash team, Rhahim Carlock, Dave and Carol Blanchard, Jack Brantley, Randy Lane and the many other folks who worked for hours prior to the event to make it the huge success it was. How great is it to have so much fun, remember a very special young man and honor his amazing family, and raise money for such a worthy cause? Who's ready for SkaterAid 4?!? Love to all, Laura

Mary Campbell

September 18, 2007

[THIS MESSAGE WAS SENT TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE BTFC FROM THEIR REPRESENTATIVE, MARY CAMPBELL. THE BTFC ARE THE RECIPIENTS OF THIS YEAR'S SKATERAID FUNDS.)

Good Morning Board of Directors of BTFC!

I wish you all could have been with me yesterday for SkaterAid, which was absolutely incredible! There was a huge turnout of kids, teens and families for an extremely well-organized and exciting event. As you know, this event was held in celebration of the life of Ian Wochatz, who died at age 15 on July 4, 2005 from a brain tumor.

It was so inspirational to see Ian's wonderful parents - Ruth and Volkmar - and their great friends, including organizers Laura Deming and Patrice Eastham, Gary Capaluto (who did a great job as emcee), and dozens of other people work so hard to make the event successful. So many local businesses and artists joined in that it seemed as though the entire city of Decatur came out to support the event. I met so many terrific people. Everything was donated - the space at East Decatur Station, all the food and drinks, the SUPER high school bands who played during the entire event, the beautifully decorated skate board decks that were auctioned off, a refurbished scooter up for bid, raffle items, etc. Kids who weren't skateboarding were enjoying face painting, sidewalk chalk and more.

I am sure you join me in feeling honored and extremely grateful that the Brain Tumor Foundation for Children was chosen as the recipient of the proceeds from the Third Annual SkaterAid. As I said to the crowd yesterday,it is very heartwarming to see families who have suffered such a terrible
loss, and those who care for them, hold an event such as this to help otherfamilies who are suffering.

To Ruth, Volkmar, Laura, Patrice, Gary, Thomas and everyone else involved: Thank you on behalf of the Board of Directors and Staff of the Brain Tumor Foundation for Children! Even though it will take a bit to calculate the results, we thank you in advance for your hard work and dedication.
Congratulations on a huge success! And if any of you want to give up your day jobs and go into event planning, please let me know. We may have a place for you here!

Charles Vickery

September 17, 2007

This was my third year of volunteering for Skateraid. I look forward to many more. Ian was my son's good friend and we enjoyed Ian's company on many trips to the beach and the ski slopes over the years. What a great kid.

Patrice Eastham

July 9, 2007

Leon - Thanks for your post. I've put a few photos of Ian on the photos page - I'm having technical difficulties getting them on the Story page but agree they would be better there. I'll work on it though!

Leon Bryant

July 7, 2007

I just spoke with Ruth today. I'm her brother. She
pointed me to the site. What you're doing is
really great. I have one request. Can you
put a picture of Ian skating on the Story page?
Two years afterward, I find myself needing
to see his face again. Thanks again!

Susan Bryant

July 6, 2007

Thank you! This web page update is wonderful!
July 4th was the second anniversary of Ian Wochatz's death. Ian loved fireworks and so it was fitting that he took his last breath as the Decatur Georgia fireworks on July 4th, 2005 blasted off.