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Joined: Sep 29, 2008 Posts: 18593 Location: Albany, GA
Posted: Thu Mar 19, 2009 12:44 am Post subject: Charles City hosts 'Survivor' reunion
Charles City hosts 'Survivor' reunion By MARK WICKS | Charles City Press
8:18 AM CDT, March 16, 2009
CHARLES CITY, Iowa - They "survived" the challenges of Africa, but are they up to the challenge that awaits them in Iowa?
Tune in May 2nd and find out.
Rumors of a mini "Survivor" reunion in Charles City have been circulating for more than a month, but this week it finally became official: the final six contestants on one of television's most popular reality shows are coming to town.
Charles City's own Susie Smith, who finished as runner-up in "Survivor: Gabon - Earth's Last Eden" last season, has organized a fundraising event to benefit the Charles City High School Marching Band and asked a few of her fellow Survivors to help out -- winner Bob Crowley, Jessica "Sugar" Kiper, Matty Whitmore, Kenny Hoang and Crystal Cox.
"I decided to ask the final six contestants (listed above in the order they finished) and they all said yes," explained Smith. "My husband Todd thought I'd never get any of them to come to little ol' Charles City, Iowa, but I told him I had nothing to lose in asking them and they all said yes!"
Their goal will be to help raise enough money to replace the band's aging trailer that hauls their instruments, uniforms and equipment to various competitions.
"Replacing that trailer is something I've wanted to help get accomplished for the last two years, before I ever was selected to be on Survivor," said Smith, whose son Trent plays in the band. "The one they have now is getting too old, it's falling apart and it's too small for their needs."
After her appearance on Survivor, Smith found herself with a little fame and some extra money (for finishing second). She donated money herself to the trailer cause, but decided to also cash in on the fame aspect to try and help the Charles City Band Parents Support Group come up with the rest of money they needed -- between $10,000 and $15,000, depending on what kind of deal for the trailer can be worked out.
"I came home right after Survivor, thought about the trailer project and said, 'Wouldn't it be cool if I could get some of my friends from the show to help?' Over 13 million people watched "Gabon," so we knew there was some interest. We could do one huge fundraiser and get this thing done," Smith recalled. "I e-mailed everyone and Bob responded the next day that he was in. Then so did Crystal, Kenny and Matty. Sugar also responded, 'Anything for you!' I was so excited."
As a result, "Survivor: Gabon - The Final Six" will be presented at 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 2, at the Charles City High School. Doors open for the event at 3 p.m., with general admission seating in the back half of the floor and throughout the bleachers in the gymnasium. The front half of the floor seating will be reserved for VIP ticket holders.
"For $25 you can get a VIP ticket with seating towards the front, as well as being able to take part in a meet-and-greet with the Survivors after the show," reported Smith. "There will be a limited number of VIP tickets sold."
General admission tickets will be $10 each in advance and $12 at the door the day of the show. Seating will not be reserved and is on a first-come, first-served basis, with approximately 1,600 seats in all available. Tickets go on sale March 13 and will be available through Smith, as well as the Charles City Area Chamber of Commerce, 401 N. Main St., 641-228-4234.
In addition to the program, which will feature individual talks by each of the Survivors on their experience on the show, what they have been up to since then and their own personal message, Smith noted there will be a silent auction of authentic Survivor memorabilia along with a couple of raffles.
Those attending the show will be able to take part in a question and answer session with the Survivors as part of the Saturday program. Written questions can be submitted during the first portion of the show and a number of them will be drawn and asked.
"We will also be having some fun with a two-minute card house challenge, similar to the one I was in on the show," Smith said. "We will select six volunteers from the audience and pair each of them up with a Survivor for the challenge."
Added entertainment will be provided by the CCHS Drumline. In all, Smith anticipates about an 3-hour event, with a pair of 15-minute intermissions.
"People here are really going to enjoy meeting them, they are so down-to-earth, so real," remarked Smith of her fellow Survivors.
She said she has heard from other Survivor contestants as well, either via e-mail or on Facebook, but only asked the top six because Smith didn't think enough sponsors could be found to host more than that.
The Survivor participants spent 39 days playing the game last summer, with each weekly episode on TV ending with a tribal council in which one player was voted off. The game began with 18 players, ranging in age from 22 to 61. Only the last remaining three -- Bob, Susie and Sugar -- advanced to the final live televised episode, in which the winner of the $1 million grand prize was announced. Bob beat out Susie by one vote.
"I am extremely anxious to see them again. I really miss them, even though we stay in touch," remarked Smith. "I miss their physical presence, though, after being together for 39 days on the show. I'm excited to see how they have been doing and I'm excited for everyone here in Iowa to meet them."
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