New York City *-- The newly-formed Harold Hunter * Foundation has held its first fundraiser, a "Photo Exhibition/Silent Auction" of photographs of Harold Hunter.

Friends and business associates have formed the tax-deductable, not-for-profit foundation in Harold's name with the goal of promoting skateboarding to underprivileged inner city youth through acts including sending kids to Woodward * Skate Camp *, organizing skateboarding contests, and educating youth about skateboarding.

Harold Hunter was a well-recognized New York skateboarder and Zoo York * skateboard pro who acted in the controversial film "Kids". According to web reports, he was instrumental in convincing Larry Clark to cast Rosario Dawson in the movie too, and was at one time romantically involved with her. He was also popular around New York parties and nightclubs, famously having posed with Paris Hilton.

Harold was raised by family members in the Campos Housing Projects in the East Village's Alphabet City. Harold made his way through life on a skateboard. After receiving consistent coverage in major skateboard publications, he became a household name in skateboard circles as one of New York City's first professional skateboarders.

Some knew Harold as the comedic Mayor of the Lower East Side, others around the world knew him from his comic skills and outgoing nature.

Harold died of apparent heart failure in his East Village home on February 17th, 2006. Rockstar Bearing's Marketing Director, Daniel Sasse, said that Harold Hunter "was a messenger of fun, love and peace to everyone, everywhere."

The exhibition and auction features work of filmographer Larry Clark, as well as the work of Jeff Pang, Andreas Speck, Johnathan Manion, Sebastian Isacu, John Handel, Rodent, Clara Markowicz, Andrea Bakacs, James Garret, Suekwon, Brian Vyeda, Alessandro Simonetti, and others.

Zoo York videographer RB Umali also contributed a "Legends Never Die" video installation on the Friday after the opening. All artists who donated work for the show also receive a limited edition T-shirt designed by Chris Thomas.

According to organizers, if a bid for an item exceeds it's "Fair Market Value", then the bidder may be entitled to a tax deduction for the difference. Items won in the silent auction are subject to 6% sales tax.

The photos are currently on display at the Canal Chapter's gallery at 343 Canal Street, 4th floor, in New York City. The exhibit was curated by DC Shoes * East Coast Skate Promotions Manager, Jeff Pang; Daniel Sasse; and 1134NYC.com Co-founder and Director, Mikhail Sokovikov.

According to Sasse, The Harold Hunter Foundation has filed for a 501c3 certificate. Until that paperwork goes through, the foundation was planning to operate under the umbrella of the Mark "Gator" Rogowski * Foundation, but has decided it no longer needs to. All proceeds from the auction are slated to go towards the foundation's coffers. Board members of the Harold Hunter Foundation are projected to number about nine, and are expected to include Jeff Pang, friend of the Hunter family Priscilla Forsythe, and Harold's brother Ronald, in unspecified positions.

The online auction ends July 19th, and the a closing reception as well as final bids on the photos will be held on July 20th, from 8PM-11PM. On July 22nd the highest bidders can come to pick up their artwork. (Artwork may also be shipped at the bidder's expense)

A collage of selected works is expected to be made available for bidding on the closing night of the show. The Harold Hunter Foundation is also planning an event for late this summer or early fall, and has met with Woodward about this.

Official sponsors of the Harold Hunter Foundation include Blades, DC Shoes, Supreme, Red Bull *, the Fuel Network, Rock Star Bearings *, Zoo York, and SkateboardDirectory.com. The official Harold Hunter Foundation website is HaroldHunter.com.

In the words of his peer Rosario Dawson: “Harold always was a true and multifaceted angel. Glowingly loving and present, he also hurt with his insatiable need for love. Unlike most of us, though, he transformed that need into generosity into a kindness that excluded no one. He brought many a person out of their shell, including me. Just unabashedly unafraid, he saw the world with the awe of a perpetual child... with wonder! He played with and on this earth, deftly. It was his talent, his gift, to test the limits of his body and of our minds. Thank you for all the laughs, even for the passionate arguments, for the proposals and the challenges. Thank you for the treasure hunting and possibilities only you seemed to discover and think to explore. Thank you for the loud, the chaotic, and the fun. And thank you for the quiet, the stillness, that always surprised and moved me, knowing that there was so much more to you than we could ever imagine. Who could match your imagination? You’re one of the most inspiring humans I think I’ll ever know. With love for you, guiding my heart always.”

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