Ian
Tilmann was a Street Skater who loved
to Longboard
with his crew until the wee hours of the
morning. Ian had a Longboard passion for bombing
hills, garages and sliding ramps and truck
wells. Ian had a
Street Skaters attitude about
helmets…he did not think it was cool or necessary
to wear one when Skating. In 2005, on a warm July evening Ian
took off with his crew
to bomb “Cemetery Hill” in Clearwater
Florida.
Ian had bombed that Hill a 1000 times
and
yet that night was his last
as he was thrown
from his Longboard after a “speed wobble
& wheel
bite”. Ian suffered Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) from a deep
skull fracture and was rushed to the hospital. Ian was in coma
for ten
days as Surgeons and Nurses struggled to save him. On July 26, 2005 Ian
died. Ian’s Mom, Dad and family were devastated
by Ian’s death and the
inevitable question; Why did this happen? Would a helmet have saved
Ian’s life that fateful night? The answer to that question and how
Ian’s Mom, Marcy Tilmann resolved these issue are shared in Ian’s Story
by Roxanne Wilder of Catch 47 TV Tampa Florida. This heartfelt report
is an excellent introduction to Marcy Tilmann,
the Mom who decided to reach all Skaters HELMET…LIVE TO SKATE
TOMORROW!
Learn more about Ian Tilmann
and his life
growing up in Clearwater, Florida. Ian was a
musically talented, played brass horns Band and Bugle Corps. Ian was a
US Marine and joined
upon turning 18. After 4 years and his Honorable Discharge Ian returned
to civilian life to pursue his dreams. Learn more about Ian and how his
dreams were cut short by a tragic Life Decision at: About
Ian Tilmann.
The
Ian Tilmann Foundation, Inc.
is a
501.3c charity based in Safety Harbor, Florida (Tampa
Bay). The mission of The Ian Tilmann Foundation is
prevention of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) with a focus on
Skateboarding. We accomplish our mission with programs
designed for Skaters. The Foundation is pro-active in
reaching out to Skaters nationwide working with “Old
School” Skaters creating a movement and positive
force in the world of Skateboarding. Skaters of all ages
including “Old School” Skaters (over 30), Longboarders,
Street Skaters, Bowl, Vert and Skate Park Riders who
always wear helmets are signing up to join “Helmet
Nation”. This is a mass movement of Skaters who choose
to wear helmets and encourage others to do the same.
Those Skaters who join “Helmet Nation” help us to reach
Skaters who need a helmet but can not afford the $40-60
to buy one. Skaters can receive a FREE helmet if they
Promise to wear it every time they Skate. The "Helmet for
a Promise" will provide a FREE a custom ordered Skater
helmet if they Promise to wear it every time they Skate.
Learn more at.…The
Foundation
Helmet
Nation is an OPT-IN movement of
Skaters who choose to wear helmets whenever they
Skate. Helmet Nation seeks commitment to promote
Skating “Smart” knowing full well there is nothing safe
about extreme action sports and Skateboarding in
particular. Many Skaters know the truth because they
have been there, fallen many times as they became
Masters of the sport. Most Skaters are in total denial
about the risks of TBI and the need for helmets. The
fact is in 2009, over 23,000 head injuries were treated in
Emergency Room from Skateboarding. That equates to 3
Skating TBI’s every hour of every day for the entire year.
Helmet Nation knows the facts and make the smart choice
to wear a helmet when ever they Skate. There is only
one proven cure for Traumatic Brain Injury….it is called
PREVENTION!
Old School
Skaters (Over 30) are stepping up to volunteer
their time and effort to build Helmet Nation. Old School
Skaters have learned from experience the value of a good
helmet. Pro Skaters Steve Steadham and Lester Kasai
have joined Helmet Nation and promote Skate events
across the Nation in partnership with the Foundation
and our Sponsors. Helmet Nation volunteers produce
Skate events benefiting the Foundation at public and
private Skate Parks; Youth Clubs, and Skate Ministries.
Longboard Clubs from communities and campus are
holding Rallies, Contests and “Skate-athons” to raise
funds for helmets. Helmet Nation is driven by the desire
to “Pay It Forward” and help other Skaters who need
helmets but can not afford them. Helmet Nation works
together to raise funds for the “Helmet for a Promise”
program. We ask smart Skaters everywhere to step up
and join our movement to build Helmet Nation in the
Skate World…one Brain at a time.
Sign
Up for Helmet Nation….
Join "Helmet
Nation”
Helmet
for a Promise is an OPT-IN Free
Helmet program for Skaters who do not own a helmet
and can not afford to buy one. The Helmet for a Promise
approach is simple and direct. If a Skater will Promise
to wear the helmet when ever they Skate, they receive
a custom ordered helmet for FREE. Helmets offered
include top Skate brands such as S-ONE, Bern, ProTec
and Triple 8 in a wide range of styles and colors. Each
Skater get to choose their helmet style, color and sized
to fit properly. Helmet for a Promise requires a form
Registration filled in with required information and a
signed Promise. The Registrations for Free Helmets are
released as funds become available. Skaters are asked
to OTP-IN to the email registry that forms Helmet Nation.
Once a Skater joins Helmet Nation and receives the
helmet, we continue to ride, rap and grow with our Skaters
and their crews to Pay it Forward and spread word on the
Streets and Skate Parks about our program.
Need a Helmet? Sign
up for “Helmet for a
Promise”
The
Ian Tilmann Foundation, Inc.
operates in memory of Ian Tilmann who died from a
Skateboarding accident in 2005. The Foundation was
established in November, 2005 by Marcy Tilmann,
President with funds donated for Ian’s rehabilitation while
he was in the Hospital. Marcy launched the “Helmet for
a Promise” program from her home where it still operates
today. Since Ian's death the Foundation has given over
3,500 FREE Helmets to skaters who promise to wear
them.
The Ian Tilmann Foundation, Inc. was
incorporated in November 2005 as a Florida Non-Profit
corporation. The Foundation is certified as a Public
Charity under the Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(3) with
Florida Tax Exemption Certification.
Foundation IRS Letter Foundation IRS
Letter 4/29/2010
Foundation Brochure: Foundation
Brochure
|