Since last summer, X Games BMX Big Air Gold Medalist Kevin Robinson has been battling a nagging shoulder injury. Between multiple surgeries and recovery, Robinson, 39, has endured a substantial time away from his bike since X Games 16 (when his shoulder dislocated three separate times), but instead of drowning his sorrows in sitcoms and video games, Robinson has turned to charity work.
Along with wife Robin Robinson, Kevin started The K-Rob Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of underprivileged children in Kevin's hometown of East Providence, R.I. "I wanted to do it in a way that helped the children directly," said Robinson. "I didn't want to be handing money to other committees or organizations where I have no control of how the funds are distributed. The mission is to keep the deserving children involved in athletics. We do this by helping the families with sign up costs, equipment, etc."
"Since we've started the Foundation in June of 2010, we've given back around $15,000 to the children," he adds.
Kevin Robinson
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Kevin Robinson knows a thing or two about big ramps. Here's the proof. Gallery
This Saturday, May 21, The K-Rob Foundation returns with their latest fundraiser, The "Ride with K-Rob Family Fun Festival" in East Providence, R.I. Starting in the morning, Robinson, along with local legend Tony The Dancing Cop and attendees, will venture out on a 4-mile bike ride down the East Bay Bike Path to the Looff Carousel in Riverside, R.I.
"The Looff Carousel is one of the oldest carousels in the country," says Robinson." "They donated a two-hour block where all the revenue goes to the Foundation. So, we thought it would be fun to make a "little" festival out of it. This includes a family style game of football combine by East Providence native Jamie Silva (Indy Colts safety # 40) a rock climbing wall, gymnastics demos by Aim High Academy, Karate Demo's by Lovett's Tae Kwon Do, Ropes classes by Punch Kettlebell Gym, dunk tank, many food vendors, as well as lots of fun and games to participate in at each vendor booth. We have over 60 vendors. Also performing will be D.J. Donnie Battle, Some Weird Band, Kicking Hole, and Fungus Amungus."
"The main purpose for this event is to get families out of the house, put down the computers, cell phones, video game controls, and go outside and be active with your family," adds Robinson.
Tickets for the ride and festival are just $10 per person (or $20 per family) and all proceeds go to the foundation. The event will wrap up with a $20 raffle featuring the chance to win a trip to the 2011 Summer X Games in Los Angeles, including $800 flight voucher, tickets to the X Games, Meet and Greet with some of the X athletes, a tour of the X Games facility, three nights hotel with transportation from the hotel to the venue, and X Games gift bags.
For more info please visit www.krobfoundation.org