Network Television Program Delivers Nearly $2M to Local Charities

The focus was on Mao Tosi, who started AK Pride a few years ago to steer teens and young adults away from gangs and drugs and toward diplomas and jobs.

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By Bill McAllister

Story Created: Jun 13, 2011 at 4:42 PM AKDT

Story Updated: Jun 13, 2011 at 7:53 PM AKDT

A network television crew dropped nearly $2 million in charitable contributions in Anchorage early this morning.

The on-air event raised the profile of the local non-profit organization that is acting as the clearinghouse for the donated goods.
 
 Early this morning, Al Roker and the crew of NBC's "Today” show kicked off the 10th anniversary of the program's "Lend A Hand" segment by bringing $1.9 million in goods and cash to Anchorage, to benefit the needy.
 
 The focus was on Mao Tosi, who started AK Pride a few years ago to steer teens and young adults away from gangs and drugs and toward diplomas and jobs.
 
"What we plan on doing right now – AK Pride is only represented in Anchorage -- our goal is to get around Alaska,” Tosi told Roker. “You know, we're proud of our state."
 
 Tosi's office at the Northway Mall, which he manages, filled up quickly with the items delivered by the television program.
 
"What we have here is basically a little bit of everything -- from food to strollers to games for the kids, footballs, … Monopoly. So just a variety of things. It's not only for AK Pride. It's for AK Pride to look at it and say how can other organizations benefit from the items we have here."
 
For Tosi, who has dedicated his life to helping at-risk youth, it was an emotional day.
 
"It took a lot to get here. So I mean -- just all the sacrifices that were made by so many people and my family, my wife, my kids."
 
Tosi is hoping for $80,000 in state funds to continue after school and summer programs that he started.
 
With that, with continued support from the United Way and from the Rasmuson Foundation, and with the additional resources provided through the “Today” show, he thinks he's in a good position to reach even more kids.
 
"And the best time to capture them is before they leave high school. The mission of AK Pride is to increase youth's chances of success after high school. And we utilize everything they love, because it's things we all love, too -- music, art, dance, athletics, there are so many things that we all have in common. It's just supporting those things and try to figure out how we can all do it together."
 
And now AK Pride has its second wind.
 
"It fills me back up with the energy that I feel that I needed back. To get back out here and fight."

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jack said on Thursday, Jun 16 at 2:58 AM

here they come.

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Mike A said on Monday, Jun 13 at 6:30 PM

Great to see my friend Mao and the Org get recognized and a chance to re-energize. More positive opportunities for our young people to help encourage them.

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