Published February 13, 2024 in the Sierra Sun

TRUCKEE, Calif. – Rubicon Pizza Co., located in the Village at Northstar, recently awarded a check for $20,000 to the Rocker Memorial Skate Park.

“Rubicon is proud to support our community through frequent fundraising events,” said Ray Villaman, owner and CEO of Rubicon Pizza Company. “We are thrilled to have had the success we did during this year’s fundraising efforts. We are excited to assist with a community project that will be a safe and fun place for people to gather. It is because of Rubicon’s management, employees, Rocker Skatepark volunteers, our partner companies, and many individuals who supported that we were able to make the contribution,” he added. “I am particularly proud of our GM, Mike Phillips, for orchestrating this year’s fundraising efforts.”

Rubicon donated $20,000 for the calendar year 2023. According to Villaman, the $20,000 sum is one of the most successful fundraising efforts for Rubicon since it was established in 2007.

“The donation from Rubicon to Rocker Memorial Skatepark is a catalyst for significant forward movement in our goal to build a generational asset for North Lake Tahoe. Thank you to all of Rubicon’s staff for their support through one of the biggest winters ever in Tahoe, with Northstar reporting over 640″ of snow! Special thanks to owner Ray Villaman and manager Mike Philips for their commitment to local fundraising, from hosting pizza slice sales in the Village all winter long (sometimes in blizzard conditions), to a fully staffed fundraising dinner. Your support has been critical in helping to raise funds for construction, and has also provided an incredible opportunity to educate the public on what we are building. Thank you, Rubicon Pizza Co!” said Colin Robinson, Director of Rocker Memorial Skatepark.

The Rocker Memorial Skatepark’s goal is to construct a new, state-of-the-art, 25,000 sq. ft. expansion to complement the current skatepark in Truckee. Skateparks are a vibrant, creative part of sustainably healthy communities. As a gathering place for dedicated, athletic youth, the RMSP will expand the forum for visitors young and old, beginning and skilled, to meet and share experiences. For many skateboarding youth, the skatepark becomes a home-away-from-home.

Rubicon Pizza has always been known for giving back to the Truckee community and has awarded over $150,000 to local non-profits over the past decade. One of Rubicon’s biggest ways of giving back is by sponsoring a local non-profit organization for the year, which is voted on and chosen annually by the staff. This past year the team rallied to support the Rocker Memorial Skatepark.

Throughout the year, Rubicon and the chosen non-profit partner up to sell pizza slices at an outdoor pizza cart during busy times in the village. Rubicon also encourages guests to donate extra cash on their bills to the non-profit and at the end of the year, throws a Fall Fundraising Feast where guests are invited to have a night full of fun with live music, a raffle, and an all-you-can-eat pizza, pasta and salad buffet. Rubicon’s staff volunteers their time for the night, and all proceeds are donated back to the non-profit.

Rubicon’s General Manager, Mike Phillips, sums up the event, “It’s very rewarding to be afforded the opportunity to give back to our community. The stewardship displayed by Rocker Memorial Skatepark and other local non-profits make Truckee a special place to live.”

For more information or to make a donation to help The Rocker Memorial Skatepark realize its goals