Artists and Musicians Making a Difference

Mohawks, spikes, tattoos, vulgar expressions, and bad decisions. This is what most may think of when they are asked to imagine a punk. Many people have a poor judgment towards individuals who dress in this fashion, play in a punk band, or simply listen to punk rock. The event I attended this fall is a great example of how this may not be the best judgment.

Not What Is Normally Expected of Punks

A few weeks back I went to a local concert put on by Kris Hunter, of The Faction, now known as After The Fact, called the Punk Rock BBQ. Not many would believe a man who plays in a punk rock band, like Kris, would be incorporating such wonderful non-profits in his events due to judgments based on his appearance but this exactly what he did. I originally went to enjoy some good music, great company, and some delicious food from the Whistle Stop in Crawford, TX. Kris put on this event with bigger intentions than just giving his friends a venue to enjoy some good music and delicious food. Kris had multiple non-profits and the like involved in this event. This was such a great idea to open the eyes of our community.

Photo by David Welborn

Kris had John "Timmie Tattoo" Garner, who works at the Infamous Ink tattoo & piercing shop in Waco as a tattoo artist, speak at the BBQ. He was not attending on behalf of Infamous Ink, he attended to speak on behalf of Waco PMA. Waco PMA is a Facebook group to help people struggling with their mental health started by John and his friends. John is not the only artist at Infamous who cares about our community. He and his coworkers never seem to stop showing their loving hearts through the platform of their shop. One of their piercing artists, Matt Gillespie, is well known for fostering dogs and volunteering with the Humane Society of Central Texas. The tattoo shop as a whole has also had events such as the Infamous Ink-4-Autism Benefit, multiple events to raise money for individuals and their families in hard times, and one close to my heart; Semi-Colon Saturday. They have also sold t-shirts to benefit recuperating from Hurricane Harvey. One of their biggest events raised over 21,000 dollars for their good friend Clint Cummings in his battle with cancer.

Kris Hunter

Sonya Cooper, CASA Supervisor, also attended the event with her husband who is good friends with Kris. Sonya’s husband asked if she could have a tent at the BBQ and Kris thought this was a great idea. This is how I and many others learned about CASA. CASA stands for court-appointed special advocates. This organization is for helping foster children through the process of finding a foster home and/or forever home. Sonya spoke at the event on behalf of CASA. She made sure to let the audience full of “punks” know that they are open to advocates from every walk of life. They really are focused on bringing in more options for kids in the foster system and they do not judge on the appearance or music taste of someone wanting to help them reach that goal.

Kris having both John and Sonya speak at the BBQ was a great way to get the word out to our community about these organizations. Kris being the punk rock guitarist he is may not be who most expect would bring light to these organizations. I know people with tattoos or piercings are usually perceived as bad people but Kris and his friends have done some amazing things for our community.

Waco Positive Mental Health

John, with the help of Kris, began Waco PMA after struggling with his own mental health and ending up in the Crisis Center at MHMR. John speaks with me on his reasoning behind starting this Facebook group and his goals of the group:



Kris having John speak on the behalf of Waco PMA at the BBQ was a very effective way to build the group and allow more members the ears they may need. Not everyone has someone to talk to when they are down and this group is exactly what someone may need. I can see how this group would have benefited me in the past and I continue to share it with individuals who may need this group now.

Mental health awareness is very important to me and I believe reaching out and getting help for it should be more normalized. People should be able to feel that they can get the help they need. You can help John, Kris, and many others work towards killing the stigma that is connected to mental health by simply lending an ear to someone who seems to be having an off moment or two instead of just shrugging it off and calling them crazy. Something this simple can lead to someone getting the help they need. If you're interested in reaching out to the Waco PMA group feel free to visit us on Facebook. Kris and John are putting together a concert for Waco PMA in January of next year. Even if the music is not your cup of tea you can help during this event by either spreading the word or donating to the fundraiser.

CASA of Mclennan County

A CASA is a person set by the court to work with a child during the processing of foster care. They observe and really listen to the child and relay this information back to the judge. Although, the CASA does not always advocate what the child wants to happen in their case but what is best for the child. CASA really strives to get a stable environment for every child in McLennan County who is in need of one. 
The amount of openness towards people who are loving and want to become a CASA really impresses me. 

Like the many punks with huge hearts that were at the BBQ. Advocates are extremely needed for the growing amount of foster children that are entering the system every day. Punk, gamer, normal, nerd, LGBTQ+, etc, you can become a CASA for a child. If you would like to volunteer to become a CASA for a child please visit CASA's website. If you cannot volunteer to become a CASA yourself and would like to donate you can donate here.