In addition to hosting the world's
top snowboarders, the US Open Snowboarding Championships also welcomed 27
inner-city kids from nine North American cities, through Chill, an international
intervention program for disadvantaged youth. These kids were visitors at
Stratton Mountain from New York, Boston, Toronto, Salt Lake City, Burlington,
Chicago, Los Angeles, Washington, DC and Seattle - most of them out of their home
state for the first time.
This winter, the Chill program served over 1500 disadvantaged and at-risk
inner-city kids by taking them snowboarding once a week for six weeks and
providing them with everything they need for the experience. This includes lift
tickets, instruction, bus transportation and head-to-toe gear (boots, jackets,
pants, gloves, hats). Chill's mission is to provide these troubled kids with a
vehicle for personal achievement and success through snowboarding.
Burton founder and president, Jake Burton says of Chill, "Sharing the sport with
disadvantaged kids is one of the best offerings we, as a company, can provide.
The kids get to try something that they would never otherwise have the
opportunity to do and have some fun at the same time." As he does every year,
Burton spent several hours riding with the Chill kids at the US Open, sharing his
thoughts about the sport, about growing up, and will also provide valuable
direction on the best way to do a toeside turn.
Cameron Blakely, age 16, a Chill participant from a large public school in
Washington, DC says "Chill is a good program and needs to be in every city and
state. It keeps kids out of trouble and teaches us new stuff that we need to face
the real world. I feel cool when I snowboard and when I walk out to the slopes
sometimes I feel like I'm number one in the nation."
The Chill kids offered their help over the weekend by performing several
volunteer jobs such as hanging banners in the halfpipe, working the members of
the press who were learning to snowboard for the first time, and taking turns in
the Chill tent, handing out stickers and brochures and telling people about the
program.
"The 27 inner-city kids representing Chill at the US Open were a positive,
powerful part of the weekend," said Chill Director, Jenn Davis. "Some of the kids
visiting are wards of the state, some are recovering addicts, they are kids from
low-income, crime ridden neighborhoods in each of the nine cities that Chill
serves. It was our pleasure to be able to provide them with a life-impacting
experience at the US Open. These kids were absolutely thrilled to be in Vermont
and special guests of Burton and Chill."
When asked to share his favorite part of his US Open experience, 13-year-old
Kellon Kerr from an alternative school in New York City, said "the whole
weekend."
Porfirio Barrientos, age 16, comes to Chill through Odyssey House, a treatment
facility in Salt Lake City for kids struggling with additions. Porfirio says
he's enjoyed Chill because "it's shown me that there are cooler things to do with
my time than being involved with gangs and drugs." Porfirio feels good about his
progress in Chill and says he's proud of his recent accomplishments in
"snowboarding, staying sober, and learning new tools that will help me in life."
"Snowboarding makes me forget about everything and allows me to release tension,"
added Cameron. Besides snowboarding, he enjoys the peacefulness of being outside
of DC. "There is no stress up on the mountain. I feel a sense of relief."
Davis credits long-time Chill partners Mitsubishi Motors and Southwest Airlines
for the wings and wheels to be able to bring these 27 troubled youth to Vermont
and the US Open.
For more information on Chill, please contact: Jenn Davis, Chill Director (802)
651-0326 - office, (802) 310-9105 - cell, jennd@burton.com
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