The Naperville Post

On August 08, 2008,– KidsMatter, along with The Naperville Police Department, the Naperville Park District Police, and in partnership with the Naperville Jaycees, will host the 5th annual Skaters’ Picnic at the Centennial Beach Skate Park in downtown Naperville on August 30th 2008, 11 am – 2 pm.

Skaters of all ages are invited to come downtown and skate at this wonderful community facility while socializing with members of the City and Park District police departments. Skaters will be treated to a free picnic lunch served by the Naperville Police and KidsMatter, watch professional skaters in action from Character Skateboards, and listen to some great music provided by Ben Wiersum Sound Technology. In addition, the first 200 skaters will receive a free T-shirt commemorating the event and each skater will receive a free raffle ticket. Naperville’s own Mayor Pradel will be on hand to pass out the raffle prizes to the lucky winners. Raffle prize sponsors include Bad Boyz Toyz, Zumiez, and Character Skateboards. Prizes are valued at over $1200. Special highlights for the 5th Anniversary Celebration include demonstrations by professional skaters and a doughnut eating contest between the police and the skaters!

This event provides a fun opportunity to let the skating youth of our community know they are valued. It also helps our police departments open up the lines of communication and enhance relationships with Naperville’s skating youth.

Both the Police Department and KidsMatter believe in educating and encouraging adults to build Development Assets in Naperville’s youth. Developmental Assets are concrete, common sense, positive experiences and qualities essential to raising successful young people. These Assets have the power to influence the choices young people make, particularly during critical adolescent years, and help them become healthy, caring and responsible adults.

“The Skaters’ Picnic is designed to help build the Developmental Asset of ‘Community Values Youth’ among our skaters as well as promote the skate park as a healthy outlet for positive youth activity” said IdaLynn Wenhold, Executive Director for KidsMatter.

For more information about this event, please contact Lieutenant Ken Parcel at 630-305-5485 or
IdaLynn Wenhold, KidsMatter Executive Director, kidsmatter@wideopenwest.com or 630-404-4589.

WHEN: Saturday, August 30, 2008, 11 am – 2 pm

WHERE: Downtown Skate Park at 500 Jackson Street, Naperville, IL 60540

KidsMatter, formerly known as The Naperville Youth Development Coalition, is a not-for-profit corporation organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

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