Nevada Superheroes Turn 1!!!

So a year comes and goes very fast and that is the case for Superheroes as well.  On December 6^th, 2012 the Nevada Superheroes of Kindness celebrated their first birthday! The past year has been great with all the missions that we have been on, and the smiles that we have brought to so many people.  Never in my wildest dreams did I think that the Superheroes would be what they are today in just one short year.

When we went on the first mission to thank Erica for the fabric for our capes never did I think that would lead to us being asked to honor our Veteran’s at the parade this year.  Many of our missions have been small in scale but their impact has stretched far beyond.  Every now and then I am reminded of this when someone asks about the Superheroes and they do not even live in Nevada. I am so glad and so proud of the Superheroes for all they do and all the smiles that they bring.

People often come up to me and thank me for the Superheroes but I cannot take any of the credit on this one.  I may have started the group but the Superheroes do all the hard work.  I mean think about it, how awkward would it be if it was just me walking around in a cape handing out hearts to people.  Not only are the Superheroes very adorable and easy to love they actually get the idea of spreading kindness.  I have told many people this, especially after they ask them questions about why they wear the cape and they are amazed by the answer they receive.  We do not rehearse answers or tell them what to say. Before they get their capes we read them “Have you filled a Bucket Today” and explain how that applies to being a Superhero and then before each mission we explain why we are going out and ask them why this is a special mission that is all we do.   They get it and I would like to think it makes them feel good to do these good things for other people.  I know it makes me feel very good to see and hear them with the people we visit and see the smiles they bring.

I am so very happy to celebrate this birthday after all the hard work that went into getting the program started.  I will cherish all the Superheroes that have the great privilege to wear the cape and spread happiness but that first class will hold a very special place in my heart.  I was so very happy that many of them even got to join in on the birthday party.  They still spread the kindness even though they don’t go on the missions and wear the capes all that often.  I even appreciate that they all remember me and some even go out of their way to give me a hug and tell me hello whenever and where ever they see me, trust me that never gets old.  I am honored by the fact that I have made such an impact on them that they remember, and I hope they never forget the year they first became a Superhero because I know I never will.

I know this blog is not the light hearted and witty post that you have come accustomed to with the Superheroes but I really felt the need to tell you how the Superheroes have affected me and my life.  I also want to send a great big thank you to St. Mary’s School , they took a true leap of faith in letting me start my program in their school.  Thank you to Nancy, Ruth, and especially Megan for working with me and letting me disrupt the school day once or twice a month to take the Superheroes on their missions.  I look forward to many more years of classes and hope to one day have a school full of caped up Superheroes.

I also want to thank all of the media outlets that have also supported the Superheroes along the way as well.  One of our biggest supporters is the Nevada Daily Mail, they are always there to cover anything we do, and if they can’t make it all I have to do is send them something and they are more than happy to add it to the paper.  Also the Catholic Key has been a great supporter as well.  They have had the Superheroes in their publication a couple of times as well.  Last but not least is KSN and KODE for their support and coming to Nevada a couple times to interview the Superheroes.  Big thanks to Katie Love and Brad Douglas for coming to town and putting our small capes on the big screen.  All of these people help to spread the word of kindness that we are all about.

I have rambled long enough but there is one more person I need to thank and that is you!   

That’s right I want to thank you for reading this blog and spreading the word about the Superheroes.  This blog has been visited almost 2500 times in the past year and has been viewed by people in 29 different countries, and it is all of you that help to spread the word about the Superheroes and all that they do.  Without all of you the Superheroes would not get to make people outside of Nevada smile and heck, we don’t want to keep all the smiles to ourselves especially when they look as good as ours do.  I wish I could give you all a cape and make you a Superhero, but like I have said time and time again you do not need a cape to be Superhero, but seriously how cool are those capes!!

THANKS TO ALL OF YOU!!!!!!

PB

Superhero Food Drive Part II

The day had finally come the Superheroes were about to find out if all their hard work had paid off and pick up their donations for the food drive. (Spoiler alert it did)!! Before I get to that there is a lot more to say about this latest mission. We got to invite a very special guest with us on this mission, Ms. Denise.  Ms. Denise came all the way from Garnett, Kansas to join us on our mission.  Denise has been a long time follower of the Superheroes and just fell in love with everything that we have done and wanted to help.  Help she did in more ways than one, we hold her in a very special place in our hearts.  Too show our appreciation we gave Ms. Denise her very own cape, an honor that has never been done before.  Many have gotten to wear the beloved cape but no one other than a Superhero has been able to claim one as their own.  To make this moment even more special each of the Superheroes signed the cape and decorated it with hearts and stars and if I do say so myself it looked awesome.  After looking the cape over with the Superheroes they even helped her to put it on and get ready for the upcoming mission.

This mission was one that was going to take a team effort we had lofty goals and high hopes so we enlisted the help of a few of the older kids at St. Mary’s to pull the wagons full of food for us.  Or in some cases they actually pulled us in the wagons, but if it wasn’t for their help things would not have gone as smooth, that is for sure.   So the time had come we loaded up in our wagons and set off to gather our food.

The mission got off to a bit of a slow start as the first few businesses did not have anything to share with us, but that did not get our spirits down.  We thanked them for their efforts and wished them a very Happy Thanksgiving.  Our luck was soon to change though.  We got down the street a bit and the donations started to flow in. At one stop there was even enough for each Superhero to carry their own bag of goods to the wagons.  The Superheroes were very eager at each stop to help and make sure everyone smiled.  At the end of the day though we did not fill all the wagons we had food in each and every one.  In fact during our walk around the square we even collected some monetary donations from those that were so moved by our spirit and caring attitudes.  That is what the Superheroes of Kindness are all about, touching all the lives that we come into contact with.

Now that we had been around the square and all the food had been collected it was time for our final stop Community Outreach to drop off our food.  A big thank you goes out to Barbra Long at the Community Outreach for staying past their normal closing time on Monday so we could turn in our food.  As we rolled up the excitement grew the kids knew we were done and we were about to make a lot of people happy.  As Barbra came out and saw the Superheroes in our capes she was taken back a bit as this was the first time she had seen us.  I had explained to her who we were and what we did but I knew she couldn’t picture it that is until she opened the door.  We greeted her and did something else we love some much, and posed for some pictures.  Barbra then led us to the back where we unloaded all the food we had collected.  We filled both tables in the back room and that made us very happy.

Our work was done for the day now to make it back to the school.  Well again a big thank you goes out to the older kids as the Superheroes loaded up in the wagons and got a ride back to the school.  Doing good things is very tiring for even the best of Superheroes and the ride was greatly appreciated.  As we got back to the school we had to take a few more pictures with Ms. Denise and then the mission was over.  I got my end of the mission high five from all of them wished them a very Happy Thanksgiving and told them all, the thing they did today was great and even though we didn’t see the people we helped know that we helped them.

As I look back on this mission I have to think of the good that we have done for the community of Nevada.  Though it wasn’t a lot of food every little bit counts and that is what matters the most.  If anything else hopefully we have raised some awareness and have inspired others to donate.  Whether that donation is food, money, clothes, or even some time to help I hope people will now think about donating.  As I have said a thousand times we are all Superheroes deep down inside and we can all make a difference if we try.  Big or small, rich or poor all you need is to be rich in spirit and have a big heart and you can be a Superhero of Kindness.  As Ms. Denise knows you do not need a cape to be a Superhero but if by chance you happen to get one they are the coolest thing ever!!

Superhero Food Drive Part 1

The Superheroes set out last week to visit the downtown businesses and ask them to help them out on their latest mission.  The Superheroes are out to help Community Outreach and bring back some food and other goods to fill their shelves for the upcoming holidays.  We made several stops along the way and gave them all a flyer to post in their stores.  We are asking the businesses to have their employees, customers, and friends to donate these items and the Superheroes will be by to pick them up.  This mission is just a continuation of our goal this year to make an impact on the Community of Nevada by giving back.

I will have a follow up blog next week letting you know how are efforts went.  I am excited and I am sure that our community will bond together to help the Superheroes feed the hungry.  If you want to help and donate food feel free to drop it off at any of the downtown businesses.  I know Belles and Beaus is even giving a discount in their store if you bring in canned goods.  If you can’t make it downtown you can bring them by the community center or just take it to Community Outreach.  We are looking forward to hauling in a lot of food on Monday November 19^th!!

Remember always be a Superhero of Kindness!!

Veteran's Day Parade

The Superheroes have been very busy the past few weeks trying to make a difference in Nevada.  We have had two major missions lately.  One is a food drive for the local food bank, which I will tell you about tomorrow so check back in then, and last night’s mission which was to thank our local Veterans for their service.

To take a step back a bit it was a couple of weeks ago I received a call from a person that was putting together the local Veteran’s Day parade and asked if the Superheroes would be a part of the celebration, they did not know yet in what capacity but they wanted us there.  To say I was excited to get the Superheroes involved would be an understatement to say the least.  So the stage was set and wheels were in motion to get the Superheroes in their first parade!  After attending a meeting or two we figured out what we were going to do and we were ready.

It was a frigid evening but we bundled up and joined several other students, teachers, and parents from St. Mary’s and walked in the parade.  We waved our flags and waved at all the people watching the parade from the sidewalk.  After we completed the parade route we readied ourselves for the big moment.  We sang the National Anthem said the Pledge of Allegiance and listen to a few people speak about their service and what it means to be a Veteran.  It was then our turn to give our thanks.

When Mayor Leonard announced us we came out of nowhere and swooped in to give each of the honored Veteran’s from WWII a carnation, which were donated to us from May’s Floral a BIG THANK YOU goes out to them!! .  We not only gave them a flower and a smile but a few got hugs and handshakes from the Superheroes and hopefully a memory and a sense of appreciation for all they have done for this country.  I know the Superheroes are young and might not get the entire concept of what the Veterans have done for them but they do get the fact that they are great people and deserved to be thanked.  I could not be any happier than I was last night with my Superheroes and what we did.  It makes me smile still today thinking about it and it will for a long time coming.

One extra note before I end the blog today, I want to add one other short story about something I saw after the Superheroes were done.  After we handed out flowers to all the WWII Veterans we had enough for each Superhero to take one home.  I know they were all very happy to have their own flower but I know one that didn’t take his home.  I saw his mom lean over and talk to him and I do not know what was said but I do know what happened after.  This young Superhero walked over to a young man dressed in his Marine Uniform tapped him on his leg and gave him his flower and said thank you.  The Marine kneeled down and thanked the young Superhero and shook his hand.  He then again stood at attention to watch the rest of the ceremony, I did see him turn to the person he was with say something and then smile.  Right then and there I knew that my Superheroes, Nevada’s Superheroes, are making a difference!!  I said I couldn’t be prouder than I am right now and that is true, I am so blessed to work with the Superheroes and I hope one day you all are touched by them.

 

I will end this blog like I do all the others asking you to be Superheroes yourself.  A simple smile, opening a door, a thank you to the person that helped you out that is all it takes.  Today November 13, 2012 is World Kindness Day so make sure you make a special effort to make everyone you meet smile.  We can’t all wear the cape but you can make a difference, but seriously how cool are those capes!!