HUMAN

Name: Thomas Abraham

Age: 21
Residence: Takotna, Alaska
Occupation: I’m the first chief of the village heavy equipment operator.

Years involved with Iditarod: This is my 13th year.

Iditarod Role: Wood cutting and bringing the mushers back to their sleds when they park
Current Location: Takotna, Alaska

Date of Photo: March 11, 2020
Temperature: -5F/Outdoors

What, who or how and when did you first get involved with the Iditarod?

I got involved with Iditarod when I was about five. My mom was a volunteer for years so she would bring me down when I was little and had me… I was a super duper pooper scooper in my first years. And then after that every year I’d be upgrading and getting more involved in checking fires and making sure that the mushers are comfortable as they can be. Yes, my mom’s the one that got me into all of it.

What is your Why?..Why are you here today and involved in Iditarod?

I’m here today and involved with Iditarod because I just love to help out the most I can and I just love seeing all these dogs. As much work that the mushers put through, I’d like to see them try to relax once they’re staying here. Do the best we can to make them more comfortable and eat as much pies as they can while they’re here and…

Tell me about just one of your most memorable Iditarod experiences?

One of my most memorable Iditarod experiences was on night shift. Me and my friend, my stepbrother, were messing around the fires and ended up with a bottle of heat and I sprayed his leg without him knowing and then I grabbed a stick and caught him on fire and it’s pretty dangerous, but I helped him put it out, though he had to jump over the bank in the snow. And it was pretty fun but dangerous, but fun; just stupid kid stuff.

What do you know for sure?:

I know for sure in life You always got to expect the unexpected. There’s always going to be a different change. Something’s going to come up. Got to keep working. It’s never ending. There’s always something to do. Try to look forward and be positive. Try to help out. Be respectful and live life to the fullest.