Community members came together Saturday to support a young Lakeside man that was killed while riding his skateboard.
The proceeds from the benefit are going to a scholarship to help underprivileged skaters who may not be able to afford equipment.
Daniel Donals, 21, was riding his skateboard out of a private driveway on Valle Vista Road on Feb. 11 when he skated into the pathway of an oncoming truck, according to California Highway Patrol. He died later in a local hospital.
A group of Daniel's friends came together Saturday to host a spaghetti luncheon in honor of their late friend at the Lakeside VFW at 12650 Lindo Lane.
Jacob Cohen, a friend of Donals’, said at the fundraiser that Donals was loved by many in the community.
“He was just a part of our family, you know? Part of our skating community; not just our skating community, but the Lakeside community. He knew a lot of people always had a smile on his face; we’re doing it for him.”
Donals competed in wrestling and at swim meets in high school, but his friends in Lakeside remembered him best for skateboarding. The money from Saturday’s fundraiser will go toward a memorial brick at the local skate park and will start a scholarship fund to help young skaters in need.
Local
The Local Skate Shop has joined in their efforts.
"He was a really good kid that just sort of stood out in the community," said Local Skate Shop owner Mark Johnson. "He was really kind to everyone. He didn't have a bad bone in his body."
Johnson, who said he plans to close the shop briefly to attend the spaghetti luncheon, just wants to see Daniel's memory live on in the skating community.
"This is our first loss for our brand new skateboard community," Johnson said. "The skate park is barely a year old, and this has really had an effect on our skateboard family."
According to the Donate Life Foundation, Daniel's organs were used to save the lives of four people in need and his tissue donations will be used to heal more than 50 others - something his father said makes him a hero, even in death.
Cohen said at the fundraiser that he wanted his friend to be remembered as an “awesome person” full of love.
“It is hard to put into words for me,” Cohen said. “He was a friend.”
