"Strike Out Hunger 2011" with Project Bread

Monday, November 15, 2010 – Members of The Heroic 100 convened in Boston to “Strike Out Hunger” with Project Bread!

We at Heroic 100 feel it’s important to help out hunger projects and events like this because today, thousands of people in Massachusetts experience hunger because they can’t afford adequate food. Local families are struggling even more this year to put food on the table because of a recent rise in the cost of everyday food and the high cost of living in the state. In fact, many families and individuals who never thought they’d need to ask for help are now having to decide between paying rent, getting medical care, or buying food.

This is such an important time to come together and help our friends and neighbors in need. Remember, the most important time is now and our compassion is the greatest weapon we have against poverty and hunger, in the streets, in our shelters and at our dinner tables. Get out there and fight to end hunger now because no one should have to choose between rent, medicine or food.

My friends are all very awesome and always willing to help out for a good cause. Together we raised over $600 to feed hungry people in Massachusetts through the wonderful programs ofProject Bread! Please, check out their new site for ways you can get involved in the fight against hunger. Special thanks to our donors (also listed on the ticker at www.projectbread.org/goto/heroic100) – Peter Tangen, Kris Civitarese, The Almeida Family, Aimee, Phantom Zero & Nyx and my awesome bowling team. I had a great night out and I hope you did, too.

I’m looking forward to next year’s Walk for Hunger with Project Bread in May! If you’d like to suit up and join the team, email Civitron at civitron@heroic100.org. For more information about Project Bread and ways you can help end hunger in Massachusetts, visit www.projectbread.org or follow them at www.twitter.com/walkforhunger

First Days

Tomorrow is my son's first day at 2nd grade. He'll have a new classroom but the same teacher and most of his classmates will join him but he's nervous. It's not a fear of the unknown. I think he kind of loves that. Instead, it's a fear of reoccurring challenges. Awkward social situations, kids taking advantage of his sweetness, teachers not trusting him and not provided the patience and attention that he needs.

I'm not saying my son's any different from any other child. I'm saying my son is a genius. He's creative and playful, independent yet cuddly, he's a born leader but willing to follow a cute girl or an adventurous boy. He want's to explore the world and get his hands dirty, while keeping the hand sanitizer nearby. He's just like every other kid and he's amazing!

Last year's school year was trying. He'd come home with stories of kids telling on him for stuff he "didn't do" and we'd have meetings with the teacher. She seemed to enjoy having him in the class but he needs to cut down on the noises and sit still, of course. (I've got so much to say about that, by the way but it will have to wait for another entry.) He received poor marks in conduct and effort but scored stellar in academics. How did that happen? How did he not try to get amazing grades? For real?

The longer I'm a father, the more I understand the importance of being involved in your kids life. I mean, this isn't news! I don't mean smother the kid. I'm a firm believer that kids are like cakes. The more noise you make, the more you mess with them, the more warped it's gonna come out. I say put the good ingredients in them, stir out the lumps, set the temperature and let them be... but stay involved.

Tonight, we finished up our summer reading project. We made a mobile about dragons. It's awesome! Then, we talked about the first day of school. As we talked and he didn't want me to offer any advice or even comfort him, it was clear that this kid was going to deal with this on his own. Did he learn this from watching me? By 6-years old, (he's now 7) they are they're own person but they are looking to you for the example. I need to provide a better example. Maybe I need to work with other people to help me through my stuff? Maybe I just need to let him know that he has a community he can turn to in time of need, whatever that need may be.

If you're a parent, you want whats best for your kids. You want life to be easy and you want the world to open up before him/her. We just can't force it on them. They'll find their place in the world. Maybe they'll let us hold the door open for them but meanwhile, parents, just be patient.

Where Life Takes Us

This morning I awoke with optimism. Well, optimism came later... after the choking. Let me start over. I pulled a muscle in my back and ended up in severe pain for several days. I was feeling better, last night but woke up this morning unable to breath comfortably. The optimism arose in me as I prepared for the day and watched the sun's morning light creep across the city street and into the window's our cute third-floor apartment. My son, who recently turned 7-years old, woke up a few hours later and immediately wanted to play New Super Mario Brothers Wii. However, I wasn't in the mood to play and I was fairly dismissive and unresponsive to his need to connect.

I think this is what's happening. He feels a need to connect and right now, video games are a comfortable form of expression for him. Unfortunately, most of the world views them as a mind-numbing waste of time and turns children's minds to mush. Why am I conforming to this school of thought? I think video games are awesome fun! Maybe if I had an alternative to offer... but I didn't. And I just brushed him off until he exploded and I took a walk.

My reasoning was I felt that I should separate myself from a situation which I could potentially make worse by over-talking, shouting or intimidatingly posturing. That's not the kind of person I want to be and it's not how I want to teach my son. I want him to know that open communication and understanding are key to overcoming challenging social situations. Admittedly, I haven't been setting the best example.

Sometimes, it's hard for me to remember something my very good friend, Nicole just said. "It's rough being newly alive in a strange land." After all, he's only been here 7 years.

My morning walk took me through Downtown New Bedford, picking up litter as I went. I figured I should probably do something useful and it's actually kind of cathartic for me. That means, "purging of emotions or relieving of emotional stress". I just looked it up.

Anyway, I walked down William Street and toward the water. I explored storefronts and alleyways. I said "Hello" to some people sitting around the water fountain at Custom House Square. I wanted to do more for them but I brought nothing with me. I started to wonder if they would have accepted an offering or if pride would get in the way.

Pride and ego are two concepts on my mind, lately. I don't think I used to think much about them at all but I've recently been reminded of how fragile my ego is and how rigid my pride is. I don't like that but it's a reality I'm facing.

On the walk back, over route 18 and up Union Street, I stopped at the Serlingpa Meditation Center to find out when Meditation for Kids would start but it already did and I was invited in for a class and guided meditation.

The class was about Karma and how our actions can have an effect on our environment. Kelsang Chokyi, the resident teacher talked about separating yourself from potentially violent or high intensity situations so that you may better focus your energy and handle the problem in a good way. "Without inner peace, outer peace in impossible." - Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso.

I took the information and returned to my family. My son greeted me at the door We wrapped our arms around each other and apologized for our behavior, earlier. After lunch, the three of us went to the beach for a swim. And when we returned home, we played video games.

I'm not a perfect father and I can never hope to be but I can do my very best to be a good father.

Real Heroes: Mexico's Super Amigos

Saturday, July 31, 2010 - (From the Hot Docs official description) In Mexico City, five real-life“social wrestlers” have capitalized on the popularity of Mexico’s larger than life Lucha Libre wrestlers to fight for social justice rather than trophies. Wearing custom masks, costumes and capes like the wrestlers who inspired them, these anonymous grassroots superheroes protect their metropolis against injustice.

Super Animal challenges bullfighters to leave the bulls alone and fight him instead. After a savage beating kills his boyfriend, Super Gay becomes a champion of gay rights, fighting rampant homophobia. Ecologista Universal battles environmental destruction of every kind, all on foot. Super Barrio is the defender of poor tenants, helping them resist evictions by slumlords cashing in on gentrification.

With a mixture of live action, comic book-style animation and a surf guitar soundtrack inspired equallyby mariachi music and Batman, Super Amigos shows that with a little imagination, a good heart and the right mask, anyone can activate their communities to triumph over evil.

View the film here: http://www.hotdocslibrary.ca/dsr/#/en/video/11123 – In Spanish with English subtitles – Official Selection, 2007 Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival.

Real Heroes: Wild Fire

Thursday, July 29, 2010 - “Fire Starter”, an article recently published in the August/September 2010 issue of Bust Magazine, features the story of a bold young hero named Dallas Jessup. The author, Phoebe Magee writes, “Dallas Jessup was a 13-year-old Portland, OR high school freshman in 2004 when she first saw the surveillance video on the news of 11-year-old Carlie Brucia being abducted from a Florida car wash.” The piece continues to describe how Jessup, “a black belt in Tae Kwon Do and a student of Filipino street fighting …realized she possessed a certain set of skills that could protect other young girls from the same fate. So she created Just Yell Fire, a free 45-minute video”. The video teaches young women ages 11-19 a set of basic martial arts skills they can use to defend against sexual assault or other attack.

Now 18 Jessup has helped spark a movement that she calls a “million-girl revolution.” In the Bust article Jessup says proudly, “Girls are fighting back. Even in places not known for standing up and defending girls’ rights.”

A DVD of this video is also available for shipment anywhere in the world. The video is free and available through her website, www.justyellfire.com or write to “JUST YELL FIRE” P.O. Box 5647, Vancouver, WA 98668 for a free DVD.

For the entire article, check out the August/September 2010 issue of Bust Magazine, available at your local bookstore or through mail order at www.bust.com

Civitron Visits Young Heroes at RISE

Saturday, July 24, 2010 – Civitron of the The Heroic 100 visited a group of young heroes at RISE (Rhode Islanders Sponsoring Education) to share stories, learn about their program and help them identify some of their own super powers! The costumed activist brought along some blank masks and supplies to spark creativity and get the kids thinking about how they can use their imagination and talents to make the world a better place.

RISE was one of the first programs in the United States to focus on serving children of incarcerated parents.

“In the United States one in forty children has a parent in prison, yet this group remains hidden, with few services available to address their specific needs. While it is tempting to classify children of incarcerated parents in the same category as others receiving welfare services, they are different

The mission of RISE is to provide scholarships and mentoring to children of currently and formerly incarcerated parents in order to break the inter-generational cycle of poverty, crime and addiction that too often threatens them.” (Fromwww.riseonline.org)

The mask-making workshop was an amazing success. Erica Brown, a RISE Mentor Recruiter said, ”The kids all loved making the masks and discovering their own “superpowers”. Some of the superpowers they identified were writing, running and sprinting. They also really liked coming up with their own super hero identities like Mercedes who was “Superstar”.”

Civitron had a great time, too. “It’s so much fun when kids start actually thinking about their talents and skills as real-life superpowers. And from speedsters and martial artists to writers and artists, these kids were just bursting with power and energy! I can’t wait for the next workshop!”

Civitron and The Heroic 100 will definitely be hosting more workshops, patrols and community projects. Keep visiting www.heroic100.org for updates on these and other events!

For more information about RISE, check out www.riseonline.org.

Civitron & Providence Roller Derby

Civitron Joins Providence Roller Derby in Making a Difference

by Matt Hall

Providence, RI – May 29, 2010 – At last night’s Providence Roller Derby season opener, costumed superhero Civitron was present spreading the word about his newest venture — heroic100.org; a website aimed at helping everyday folks change the social climate both locally and nationally.

Civitron is a hero. If you have never seen him in full costume then the six-foot-two, spandex-clad, real-life superhero appears to be quite intimidating. That is until he flashes his trademark toothy grin and begins telling you how passionate he is about helping people. Civitron — or Civi, as he is know by his friends — is a driving force in the real life superhero movement. When he first began handing out water and blankets to the homeless community in New Bedford, MA, he was regarded as crazy. That level of insanity has viably manifested itself in the launch of new website heroic100.org.

“The Heroic 100 is an initiative designed to inspire people to do heroic things on every level,” He explains. “We’re trying to make real changes out there. It’s easy to think about doing something good, or heroic, but to actually put it in practice, that takes guts.” The initiative’s main points involve 100 acts of random heroism, posted to the website which invites surfers to engage in those acts. They are then asked to provide photos, videos or podcasts of their participation for involvement in the website content.

The key to the Heroic 100′s effort is in its easy accessibility to everyday people. The website boasts that anyone can participate and encourages just that. “You don’t have to wear a costume to do something heroic. You don’t have to dress in spandex and own it the way I own it,” Civitron explains, “You just have to do SOMETHING. Even if it’s something little it can affect so much.” It is this logic that seems to be garnering excellent support.

The newest supporters, the Providence Roller Derby is hot on the heels of Civitron and his organization, allowing the freedom to spread awareness with public appearances at its roller derby events. Last night’s bout between The Old Money Honeys and the Sakonnet River Roller Rats had members of the organization passing out fliers and buttons and allowed the children in attendance to create their own superhero masks.

Through talks with The Roller Rats’ Hellcat Lucy, Trophy Knife and the rest of the Providence Roller Derby league, the Heroic 100 is gaining ground with important focal points and fund-raising efforts in the Providence art community. The subculture has embraced the idea of making a sincere effort to cause a global social climate change.

Though Civitron’s costume may not provide super strength or the power of flight, his ability to gather buy-in from local Providence and Massachusetts pillars seems to be a super power in itself. Already on board with the message are Bert Crenca of the artisan organization AS220, and real-life superheroes Text, Basilisk, Poseidon and Nighthawk. They have also garnered the support of local friend and fundraiser Sara Brainard. Their aim is to bring focus to the projects that the Heroic 100 presents. Further on, the possibility of becoming a full-fledged nonprofit organization looms.

Civitron hopes that with other similarly-minded organizations on board, that possibility will soon become a reality. By developing this project he has single-handedly tasked normal citizens with community and social development. That sort of challenge is often looked upon with fervor by activists and citizens alike. It also eliminates an apathetic attitude toward others in the community. And though a costume isn’t the antithesis to apathy, sometimes, it does help.

Matt Hall is a freelance writer from the Boston area and an avid supporter of local community activism.

Team Civitron Walks for Hunger

Sunday, February 21, 2010 – On Sunday, May 2nd, I will be participating in Project Bread’s 2010 Walk for Hunger. This is my fifth Walk for Hunger. My first walk was in 1989. Eighteen years later, my three-year old son made the commitment to join the fight against hunger and a family tradition was born! Since then, we have cultivated a superheroic team of friends and family to suit up and tighten our laces against the injustice of tightening belts around hungry bellies. I hope that you will support me and my team in our efforts to raise money to help end hunger in Massachusetts!

That’s my son and me (upper left), posing at the 10 mile checkpoint. He doesn’t usually look like that. He’s just really really tired. We all were tired and hungry. Then, Super-Scott’s shoe exploded! But we didn’t let the damp weather dampen our spirits. We pressed on with visions of cheeseburgers, dancing in our heads

Why am I walking? I’m walking because many Massachusetts families are seeing their monthly income stretched beyond capacity. They are forced to go without food in order to pay their rent, utility, and medical bills. The demand for emergency food has never been greater with pantries and meal programs supported by Project Bread serving 57.3 million meals last year alone. Hunger is not just an urban problem — it exists in nearly every community throughout the state.

The money that I raise by walking as much as I can of the 20-mile route will directly help hungry people. Funds raised through the Walk support more than 400 emergency food programs in 135 communities statewide.

Who is hungry? Hunger affects more than 554,000 people in Massachusetts, including the state’s most vulnerable citizens — children, the elderly, the disabled, and the unemployed.

Hunger also affects the working poor, who use more and more of their income to pay rent, heating oil, medical care, and childcare. Both children and the elderly are disproportionately represented at emergency food programs funded by Project Bread. In low-income communities throughout the state, one child in three lives in a family that struggles to put food on the table.

Please donate to my Walk to help me make a difference and reach my personal fundraising goal. Thank you for your support of me and of hungry people.

Together we CAN make a difference!

About The Walk for Hunger

Since 1969, Project Bread’s Walk for Hunger has provided critical resources for hungry children and families in Massachusetts. Today, The Walk for Hunger is the oldest continual pledge walk in the country, and the largest annual one-day fundraiser to alleviate local hunger.

Money raised through The Walk for Hunger funds more than 400 food pantries, soup kitchens, food banks, and food salvage programs in 135 communities across Massachusetts.

The Walk for Hunger is held on the first Sunday in May every year. The 20-mile Walk route weaves through Boston, Brookline, Newton, and Cambridge.

About Project Bread

As the state’s leading antihunger organization, Project Bread is dedicated to alleviating, preventing, and ultimately ending hunger in Massachusetts. In addition to organizing the annual Walk for Hunger and supporting emergency food programs statewide, Project Bread also advocates systematic solutions that prevent hunger in children and that provide food to families in everyday settings.

About Civitron

As the premier real-life superhero/costumed activist in Massachusetts, Civitron endeavors to battle hunger and poverty, while protecting the world from imagination gentrification. His mission represents a reclamation of the creative spirit and true self-expression. He works with an amazing team of heroes, dedicated to making the world a better place through community outreach, fundraising and inspirational events. In the spring, Civitron and friends will begin work on a new series of ongoing events and workshops designed to spark creativity and empower your superhero potential!

For more information about hunger in Massachusetts and how you can help, please visit www.projectbread.org/goto/civitron

Much of this article was provided for my Personal Walk Page by the lovely and talented people at Project Bread’s Walk for Hunger. We love them and all that they do. Thanks! Visit them at www.projectbread.org or follow them on Twitter at www.twitter.com/walkforhunger. If you have any difficulty accessing any links on this blog, please contact me directly at civitronx@gmail.com

My 6-Year Old is My Favorite Superhero

A few months ago, my son, Elliott (aka Mad Owl) began a collection jar to fund a trip to Disney World. He saw a commercial for a vacation package and thought, "I'd better start saving!" So, he found an old mason jar, slapped a hand-drawn sticker on it and began soliciting for donations from friends, family members, our family hair-stylist, the guys at the burrito shop and unwitting passersby. "I'm going to Disney World. Would you like to give me some money?" His tenacity was admirable and inspiring.

Unbeknown to our son, my partner, Jennifer and I discussed our options and decided that a vacation was in order but before we could announce the news, his plans had changed. His tactics had changed and the Disney sticker was gone, replaced with a new one. Scrawled out in red marker by his geniously guided southpaw it read, "Money for Children's Hospital".

"I was thinking about the kids we visited in the hospital, last year." he recalled our trip to St. Mary's Children's Hospital, in New York. We brought gifts and played with the kids for an afternoon. "I want to do that, again."

So, the Mad Owl is on a mission. He wants to help "all kids who need it", he humbly stated one recent afternoon, as he counted the funds in his collection jar. This means I must help and guide him through the process but more importantly my job is to support his choices. And why not? It's pretty obvious he makes good ones. He's a superhero, after all.

Now, the challenge becomes, "How do we give?"

We some quick internet investigation, and discovered Hasbro Children's Hospital has a couple ways to donate. The first way to give is through a simple form on their website. It even includes a space to specify how you want them to use the money. Awesome! The second way is to purchase gifts for the kids and they provide a fantastic "Wish List" to guide you. Double awesome!! Plus, it's right in our local, Southern New England neighborhood.

He decided that this would be a great way to start our mission to bring a little sunshine to the lives of children in need and chose to donate the money with the request that it goes toward research. If you want to help our young hero in his mission, please email me at civitronx@gmail.com for instructions or visit www.lifespan.org/hch for more information on Hasbro's Children's Hospital and ways you can get involved.