by Jeremie Fincher

Every year around the holidays, the State of Alaska and the Office of Children's Services (OCS) sees a huge influx in the number of children placed in foster care. Wintertime in Alaska can be brutal for low income families, and unfortunately, those children feel the effects of the stinging cold, fleeting light, and long duration, and when they are removed from their homes to insure their safety and well being, these times can be traumatic and painful. There are numerous alcohol related incidents around this time of year, amongst other things like economic hardship and family deaths, that force the State to intervene in the upbringing of these children. There are State-run and private programs that cater to helping these children, and lessening the sting of being away from their loved ones during the holidays. Toys for Tots, among many others, is a great example of this. These are wonderful programs, and support of these programs is heavily encouraged, but there is a local program that is special, and it's making some waves.

Pump Up The Kids is a charity program that started sowing it's roots during the Holiday Season of 2010. It focuses on children in the State of Alaska's Foster Care System, but specifically, the kids that are overlooked the most, teenagers. Children ages 12-19 in the system are often lucky to have a warm bed and roof over their heads in the winter months. This program was created to give these kids a bit of holiday joy. Some of these teens in the foster system have been in since they were infants, and will be in the program until they come of age to move out on their own. These kids often never get to experience holiday celebrations, or have ever been asked, "What would you like for Christmas?" This program aims to change that.

Fatguy, as Anchorage knows him, is the Program Director for 94.7 The End, our local alternative rock radio station, and creator of the Pump Up The Kids charity. In a recent interview, I asked him where the inspiration for Pump Up The Kids came from. "It comes from the heart for me, because I was in foster care from 8 years old until I was 16 when I got emancipated. I was never asked what I wanted for Christmas during that time, and I thought it would be nice to do that. Last year, my sales department came to me and said 'These people wanna do a toy drive for the foster kids.' I said 'That's awesome, but what about the teenagers? Teenagers don't play with toys... Let's tell people to donate toys to the client location, but lets also ask the kids what they actually want.' I got with the State of Alaska's Office of Children's Services and said, 'Hey I wanna take care of the teenagers this year.' I asked them for a list of three to five things from the kids. Not that they needed, but things they actually wanted."

"These are kids that range from twelve to nineteen years old, and are in foster care, or are just getting out of foster care and having to moving out on their own. Some of these kids are pregnant, or have kids themselves, and they need help getting established. Once you get out of foster care, for these 18-19 year olds, there is nothing out there for them. We want to make sure they get taken care of as well." In 2010, approximately 80 kids got everything on their list. This program was such a success, Fatguy decided to do it again this year, and gave it a name. It was donned "Pump Up The Kids," and this year, has a lot more gusto behind it. It's a good thing too, because this year, the number of kids in foster care has grown considerably.

"144 kids are enrolled now. The thing is, and this was evident last year when we started with about 40, right around the holidays, the placement rate for foster care just about quadruples. I expect 180 lists from kids by the time we're done. The foster workers have lists ready, too, so if the kid gets placed last minute, we still help them... Also, with Pump Up the Kids, you have an opportunity to get to know the kid a little bit. I don't just give you the things they want, I send you the entire form the kid filled out, in their own handwriting, telling a little about themselves."

Last year, Fatguy and his wife spent about $1500 personally, because there were lists leftover. This inevitability has been prepared for this year, however. Geico, a major sponsor for PUTK, has donated a sum of money to help defray these end costs. It will be possible, soon, to go into any Geico office in the state of Alaska and pick up a list or donate money.

Also, a fundraiser event has been created by Collaborative Minds and Family Tree Presents called "The 12 Days of Christmas Pub Crawl," that is aimed specifically at raising money for this event. Twelve different Downtown pubs, restaurants, and businesses have stepped up to participate. Each venue will be holding their own events, a silent auction, in-house donation collecting, and decoration themes that tie in with the familiar holiday song "Twelve Days of Christmas." For example, Humpy's Alehouse will be having a ring toss contest, as their "Day of Christmas" is Five Golden Rings. The Avenue will be holding Pear Vodka drink specials and live music/DJs for A Partridge in a Pear Tree. The Anchor, home of Collaborative Minds, will have three live bands, including new local band The Young Guns.

GCI has donated 50,000 Airline miles for the winner of the Pub Crawl contest. Every Pub Crawl Patron will collect a stamp from each location. All completed Pub Crawl sheets will be placed in a drawing to win the Airline miles. Also, special T-shirts will be sold at each venue, donated by Odom and Patron. This Pub Crawl will take place on Saturday, December 3rd, and will hopefully have a huge turnout to help these kids. Sarah Pederson with Family Tree Presents still needs volunteers for the Pub Crawl. If you can help, e-mail her at sarah@familytreepresents.com.

I asked Fatguy how people can get involved and help 'Pump Up The Kids.' Here's what he had to say: "They can go to our website, www.947kznd.com There is a banner on the main page, read the information, and then shoot me an e-mail requesting a list (or two). You can even ask to shop for a boy or girl, and depending on availability, I will get it to you... Also, I really encourage businesses to get involved in this, and if any businesses want to help get involved and contribute, I don't mind giving them love on the air. I know it's hard for bars to get involved, because it's kids, etc... but there's nothing wrong with picking up a list and sponsoring a kid. We're also doing gift bags for the kids as well on top of their requested items. If businesses are interesting in giving me anything for the gift bags or just want to donate cash, you can come into Alaska Integrated Media's office at 4700 Business Park Blvd, Building E, Suite 44-A and make cash, check, or credit card donations. Tax write-offs are encouraged."

Fatguy also says "We're doing an invite-only party, at the end, this year, on Dec 17th. Anyone that helps with Pump Up The Kids will get an invitation. You can watch these kids opening their presents, etc. A lot of people last year asked if they could be a part of that aspect, so we're doing that this year." Monolith Agency has sponsored the party and The Venue has put up the money for the space. It will remain an undisclosed location as, with children, that information can be sensitive. laVoy, Turquoise Boy, and Noise Brigade will be the evening's musical entertainment. Peppercini's Deli and Red Bull are catering the event.

In closing, I would also like to stress that Fatguy's "Pump Up The Kids" Charity program isn't just helping kids under the care of the Municipality of Anchorage. This benefits all teenagers in the foster care system in the State of Alaska. This is a huge benefit and deserves a lot of attention. This season, give to a toy drive, for the little kiddies, but be sure to Pump Up The Kids that are often forgotten. Sponsor a teen this Christmas, and be sure to hit the Pub Crawl on December 3rd to do your part. For more information about the Pub Crawl, search for the Facebook public event "12 Days of Christmas Pub Crawl" or go to http://www.facebook.com/events/139601856145986/ and invite all your friends. For more info about Pump Up The Kids, go to www.947kznd.com.

Jeremie plays bass guitar in Anchorage rock band Robots Helping Clones and is an Assistant Editor at Anchorage Night Out. You can reach him at bands@anchoragenightout.com.

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