Patrick McClung

Patrick McClung

Today's Hero of the Week is Patrick McClung of Anchorage, Alaska. Patrick volunteers at his local soup kitchen, organizes drives to collect food, pillows, blankets, socks, coats, scarves, hats, gloves, diapers, toiletries and other vital items for Anchorage's homeless population, and raises awareness to educate his fellow Alaskans about how they can help, too.

Patrick is just 3 years old, and his journey began when he overheard his mother, Destinee McClung, talking about homelessness. Patrick's tears came pouring out. And, as anyone who has or knows a 3-year-old can attest, so did the questions. Why don't they have homes? What do they eat? Where do they sleep? How do they stay warm, especially in Anchorage, where temperatures dip below zero? And since these questions didn't have easy answers, Patrick vowed to become the solution. He said he didn't want to have Christmas if other people didn't even have houses, and he only calmed down after his grandmother promised to help him feed those in need.

His first effort was to make signs and place donation boxes at his preschool and at the workplaces of family and friends, resulting in an initial haul of 10 garbage bags overflowing with cold weather gear, blankets, pillows, diapers, clothes, shoes, and toys. But for Patrick, it wasn't enough. So he sold his favorite toy train, his most prized possession, for $20, and used the money to buy more supplies.

PatrickĀ is ready to tackle the entire globe. When asked what he wants to be when he grows up, his answer comes without hesitation. "Santa Claus."

He's already getting some practice; this December, when his family's Christmas tree was nearly hidden behind piles of toys and clothes and blankets and coats, Patrick made it clear that none of it was for him. "It's for all the people, and they don't have homes," Patrick said. "And they're very cold."


Patrick McClung has appeared in the following PEACE Fund Radio episodes: