Survivor’s Rupert to emcee Saturday concert

News

Related Photos

Discussion

June 17, 2009

For the Republican The Rushville Republican Wed Jun 17, 2009, 07:29 PM EDT

Rush County residents will get a chance to see a pop culture icon in action during Saturday’s concert at Riverside Park Amphitheater.

Rupert Boneham, Indiana resident and "Survivor: All Stars" winner, will serve as emcee during the festivities. Saturday will also be "Rupert’s Kids Day" at the amphitheater.

Boneham is best known for his distinctive appearance, which includes a huge beard, tie-dye shirt and large size, as well as a boisterous, friendly-but-focused personality. And of course, for surviving the scrutiny of 38 million television viewers in 2004 on "Survivor: Pearl Islands," as well as winning $1 million on "Survivor: All Stars," after receiving 85 percent of the votes cast by the American public.

Rupert was the first Survivor from Indiana, the first Survivor to appear in two back-to-back seasons, and the first to appear in two seasons filmed in the same location (seasons 7 and 8 were both filmed in the

Pearl Islands in Panama). In the All-Stars season, he was the only player from Pearl Islands to be included in the contestants. He was also the first (and as of 2009, the only) player to win a $1 million prize without winning the show.

Prior to becoming a millionaire and a celebrity, Rupert worked with troubled teens. In 1983, he began his work in the mental health field with mentally handicapped children in Abilene, Texas. During this time, he realized his talent with hard-edged teens whom many other mentors and caregivers had difficulty connecting.

By 1990, Rupert had followed his dream to work with troubled teens to the central Indiana area.

According to his Web site, rupertskids.org, he purchased an abandoned property from the City of Indianapolis to provide vocational training to a group of teens that had been expelled from school.

The refurbished home was later made available to low-income families. As Rupert’s organization evolved, it became more active in local government projects that, he hoped, would benefit the entire community.

After winning his Survivor million, Rupert made good on his promise to donate a large portion to create "Rupert’s Kids," the culmination of 20+ years of work with at-risk teens.

Rupert's Kids, in partnership with the City of Indianapolis, created The Park Adoption Program. The program has saved taxpayers $150,000 in the past years and continues to provide a safe, enjoyable work environment for Rupert's Kids.

Rupert continues to raise funds and awareness for Rupert's Kids through a campaign of nationwide appearances and speaking engagements.

"We’re thrilled to have Rupert be a part of the 2009 summer concert series," Riverside Park chair Mike Pavey said. "And we plan to make Saturday all about Rupert’s Kids, and hopefully raise money and awareness for Rupert’s cause, because it truly is very worthy."

Saturday’s free show begins at 7 p.m. and will feature the Donald Burns Band and headliner Casey Jamerson.

Text Only

News

RCCF Education Fund Grants awarded
The Rush County Education Fund Grants Committee recently met to review grant applications for the 2012 grant cycle and to make their recommendations to the Rush County Community Foundation's Board of Directors.

May 25, 2012
Commissioners hear of feasibility study
The Rush County Commissioners met earlier this week and heard a report regarding a feasibility study currently underway regarding the city possibly running an ambulance service out of the Rushville Fire Department.

May 25, 2012 2 Photos
Pool open
Waggener Community Pool will be open from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday. The pool will be closed Monday and Tuesday and then open again Wednesday as was originally scheduled. Information: 932-7100.

May 25, 2012
Farmers Market
The Rush County Farmers and Artisans Market kicks off the 2012 season at 9 a.m. Saturday in the 100 block of East Third Street in downtown Rushville!

May 25, 2012
Good Samaritan recognized for heroic efforts
The lives of three complete strangers became intertwined the morning of Oct. 25, 2011.

May 24, 2012 1 Photo
Lion Project showing community pride
If you've been paying attention, you'll have noticed that new concrete lions are showing up all over town.

May 24, 2012 1 Photo
Waggener Pool opening Saturday and Sunday
In an update to this story, the City announced plans today to open Waggener Community Pool earlier than originally planned due to expected high temperatures over Memorial Weekend. Mayor Mike Pavey has asked that the pool be open this coming Saturday and Sunday. Hours will be noon to 6 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday. The pool will be closed on Monday for Memorial Day and Tuesday, and open again Wednesday, May 30, as was originally scheduled.

May 23, 2012
Why do young white women risk cancer to be tan?
A CDC report out this month found that nearly one in three white women aged 18 to 25 had used a tanning booth in the previous year. White women aged 18 to 21 went the most often, averaging 27.6 sessions per year—that’s over two sessions per month—while nearly 70 percent said they had gone at least 10 times in the last year.

May 23, 2012 1 Photo
Collision lands driver in Indy trauma center
A Milroy woman sustained serious injuries in a single vehicle accident on SR 244 west of Milroy that was reported shortly after 1 p.m. Monday.

May 22, 2012 1 Photo
Todd resigns
Bill Todd (center) is pictured during a recent meeting of the Rush County Commissioners at which he formally announced that he had turned in his resignation as the Rush County Area Plan Director. Todd has served in the capacity of APC director since 1998.

May 22, 2012 1 Photo
More News Headlines

News

Search Results

Related Photos

Discussion

Survivor’s Rupert to emcee Saturday concert

Site Map

Contact Us