$3,100 so far

Hey guys,

Sorry i missed a couple days of updates.

We had a couple big skate competitions this past weekend and i don't get any wireless signal "under the bridge"

It has blown me away the support and love that i have gotten from all over the country.
I've even had friends donate from Canada and Costa Rica...pretty awesome to see people believe in skaters.

Last night a local skater and a close friend of mine Lucas stopped down "Under the Bridge" to check out my new home and keep me company for a while...it was fun to see other skaters willing to show their support and believe in me and what i am trying to do for our youth/families.  I'm so thankful for guys like Lucas.

Around 2 am I was woken from my chilly slumber to the sound of footsteps by the river...i shot up immediately and thought to myself "this is it...a homeless guy, a police officer, a heckler...someone coming to start something", its at that point fight or flight takes over...considering i was shoeless and had the high ground on whoever it was that was approaching i prepared myself for a potential batter.
I kept my head lamp off and just sat and listened as the footsteps got closer and closer...I clinched my flashlight thinking this was going to be my weapon of choice in defending my little "territory."
As the footsteps grew closer and closer I flipped on my head lamp in preparation of an altercation....and to me surprise this "enemy" that had stumbled into my camp...was none other than a skunk.
My initial reaction was "oh thank God its only a skunk" and then it quickly turned to "oh no its a dang skunk!" anything but a skunk..this is one furry beast i hoped to never encounter during my journey in the "wilderness" of Lincoln.
I an attempt to not startle my stink spraying opposition, that could care less of my harmless intentions of being under a bridge, i quickly shut off my head lamp and just watched it frolic past me in search of something else.

Crisis averted... :)

I have slept "Under a Bridge for the BAY" 5 nights now...and we have raised over $3,000
$7,000 to go...thank you all for you the support and encouragement.

I realize that there is a lot of snow on the ground and alot more coming...I don't care, i wont give up on this.

To many of our kids know all to well what it feels like to have someone "give up" on them.  A parent, a teacher, friends...or even themselves.

Tonite is going to be a cold one, but if it shows these kids how much all of us at BAY 198 care about them...its worth it.

Bundle up, drive safe, and stay away from skunks....

Thanks for reading


Mike

DAY 2

Day 2,

“Sacrificing your happiness for the happiness of the ones you love, is by far, the truest type of love.”

 I stumbled across this quote this morning just after I came out from under the Bridge and it has been running through my mind all day.

Last night was my 2nd night "Under a Bridge for the BAY" and while it was significantly less cold, one reality has really settled in...this is going to take a while.

We are currently around the $2,500 dollar mark, that means we have $7,500 to go...

I spoke with an elderly couple today when i got to the mall, they dropped off a $5 donation and told me that they wish they could do more and that they were proud of me.  It was really cool to see people who have never had anything to do with skateboarding believe in what we're doing.  If you are reading this and blog and have already donated I just wanted to say from all of us at the BAY THANK YOU!!!

So many of you have blown this up on Facebook, re-posted it, text and called.  That is how we will get this done, all of you getting the word out and believing in what we are doing for our kids at the BAY. 


Tomorrow morning I will be on the radio at 7:15
Jack & John in the Morning
Lincoln's News & Talk, 1400 KLIN (that's an AM station for all you reading this under 25yrs old)

The Governor is going on right after me tomorrow morning, I am going to see if I can talk to him about what we're doing, could hurt right :)

Take care, stay warm...spread the word and help me get out from Under a Bridge for the BAY!

Cheers

Mike

DAY 1 "Under a Bridge for the BAY"

Mother Teresa once said

"We can not do great things; only small things with great love" 

The reoccurring questing I've been asked over the past week is....Why? 

Why a bridge?  Why now?  Why not have a normal fundraiser?  Why for a skatepark?  Why would anyone give money for this?

My answer has been same through out,  I love these kids and I am willing to sacrifice for the things I love the most...and now I want the community of Lincoln to see how special these kids are.

For the past 8 years I have worked with students, families and youth from all walks of life.
The rich, middle class, poor, educated, drop outs, homeless and hopeless...and my mindset has been the same through out.  Kids need someone who believes in them enough to fight for them. 

Last night was my first night sleeping "Under a Bridge for the BAY"
The news said it dropped down to 7 degrees last night...it only took about an hour for me to realize a couple things....it was cold....I was alone...and this whole things was gonna be one of the craziest things I've ever done. 

I'm currently sitting at the BAY watching some of my favorites skate...imma about to grab my board and go skate back to the bridge that is quickly being referred to as "home"...

If you're reading this blog and want to donate to the kids/families that I'm sleeping under a bridge for you can do that one of two ways

www.bay198.com and donate through PAYPAL

or

Stop in and see me and my kids at BAY 198, its located in Westfield Gateway Mall (right by Sears)

I'll will be sleeping outside...wind, rain, snow..whatever until i reach my goal of $10,000 in scholarship money so kids that wanna skate....can. As i prepare myself for my second night outside I keep telling myself this one simple truth, these kids are worth it.  Worth every bit of wind and snow...worth every minute of sleeplessness or frustration.  I love the BAY...it's been a dream of mine for a long time, and now its time for me to sacrifice for one of the things i love most, my only hope is that if you're reading this you would be willing to sacrifice something too.

Stay warm, spread that word...and thanks for your support


Mike

Under the Bridge for the BAY

BAY198 Skatepark is raising $10,000 in scholarships for students with improved grades and behavior in school and for those families with financial hardships.

BAY198 Skatepark Founder/Executive Director, Mike Smith, along with other community members and skaters, will be sleeping under a bridge until our goal has been reached. Mike will also be ditching his truck and riding a skateboard to and from work to raise awareness.

Cash or check donations can be dropped off at BAY198 Skatepark (located in Westfield Gateway Mall, next to Sears) or visit us at bay198.com to donate securely through Paypal.

For more information about BAY198 Skatepark or the Under the Bridge for The Bay campaign email mike@bay198.com.