KING OF CANS

PALMER — Kevin Christopher is known around Palmer Junior Middle School as “The King of Cans.” He’ll also soon be known as the eighth-grader who is largely responsible for both his principals being painted blue on Dec. 18.

Literally. Blue.

There is, however, a greater cause behind Christopher’s mischievous ways and unique nickname, one that will benefit those who are most needy this week. The energetic, well-spoken 13-year-old rallied his fellow classmates over the past weeks and brought in more than 5,000 items of food for the Palmer Food Bank.

The bounty of donations sat in the school’s main lobby Wednesday, with Christopher posing for pictures atop a heap of canned goods and other items.

Outside, a 26-foot-long U-Haul truck waited to be loaded for the short drive to the food bank, where Christopher’s efforts will be much appreciated today.

What began as a project with the National Junior Honor Society, of which Christopher is a member, turned into a personal mission recently when donations began to languish.

“I was kind of disappointed,” Christopher said.

So he and his mom, Denise, put their heads together.

That’s when Denise came up with an idea that will turn the school’s principals, Gene Stone and Geoff Penrose, blue.

Christopher ran with it.

“I was like, ‘That’s a great idea,’” he said.

Both principals agreed to make a wager with students: If they could collect 2,000 food items Stone would go blue; for 3,000, Penrose would join him.

As word spread around the school and Christopher hyped the project to his peers, donations began pouring in.

Wednesday was the payoff. Not only did the students surpass their goals, but they get to see Stone and Penrose play the part of a two-person Blue Man Group next month.

For Christopher, getting a plethora of donations for the food bank has more of a personal meaning. Since he and his family moved back to Alaska from New Jersey in 2002, they’ve volunteered there.

Christopher said during one of his volunteer stints he was surprised to see the demands on the food bank vastly outweighed the food available. Because of that, having less than 5,000 donations by the end of his project Wednesday just wouldn’t do for Christopher.

Going big seems to be a constant theme with most undertakings Christopher is involved in. Denise said there is rarely a time when he does anything low-key.

“Kevin never does anything under the radar,” she said.

His teachers are impressed as well.

“Kevin has been the spearhead behind this,” Honor Society adviser MaryAnn Osiensky said. “He was instrumental in getting people motivated to give.”

In the spirit of the holiday season, Christopher said there’s nothing like helping others who can’t afford enough food.

Just before some classmates began loading box upon box into the truck, Christopher sized up the pile in front of him.

“I couldn’t believe the final numbers,” he said.

He added he’s glad the other students in school decided it was important enough to give what they could, especially in the spirit of Thanksgiving.

With the boxes loaded up, Christopher buckled himself into the passenger seat of the U-Haul next to his father, Pete, for the ride to the food bank.

This Thanksgiving, Christopher’s mother and father will have a camera full of pictures saving the memories of their son’s hard work and dedication.

Those who move through the food bank this holiday season will get full stomachs and satisfied appetites, thanks to an eighth-grader from Palmer.

Contact Michael Rovito at michael.rovito@frontiersman.com or 352-2252.