Carry the Cure hosting concert fund-raiser

Valley Life editor

Some duct tape, turned-over garbage pails and a couple of drum sticks could be the secret to giving students a new outlook on life -- and that's why Carry the Cure is hosting a concert and auction Sunday night.

Carry the Cure is a group dedicated to suicide prevention. Whether it's through one of the hundred Committed to Life school assemblies the group presents or the Stomp-like performances from the Rhythms of Life percussion group, Carry the Cure is committed to helping others.

"We hold workshops that are really an extension of the Committed to Life assemblies. They focus on drug and alcohol resistance skills, conflict resolution, family and marriage workshops -- that kind of stuff," said Bill Pagaran, the executive director.

The Rhythms of Life percussion group is one program of many that Carry the Cure presents. But putting together concerts and assemblies costs money -- and lots of it, when you're talking about traveling to the Bush.

"I realize that God has given us many gifts, but grant writing certainly isn't one of mine," Pagaran said. "Initially, we had state grants that got us up and running, but a lot of those were either cut or were one-time grants.

"We get a lot of help locally, though. Wal-Mart has given us a $1,000 grant for the last three years, and Wasilla Christian Church has really been great with donations. We couldn't do it without them," Pagaran said.

Sunday, Carry the Cure is hosting its first fund-raising event. A silent auction begins at 6:30 p.m. at Wasilla Christian Church (Mile 2.3 Knik-Goose Bay Road). The Rhythms of Life percussion group will play an hour concert during the auction, and at 8:30 p.m., bidding will close.

"The money will help us keep our music mentoring program up and running, and help us travel and give these workshops and assemblies," Pagaran said. "We make youth a part of our program, from the planning stages on. They are a huge part of what we do and how we approach what we do.

"When you train youth, they are going to positively impact their generation," Pagaran said. "And that's what it's all about."