Survivor’s Rupert to emcee Saturday concert

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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.

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