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Kids Heroes Foundation years ago, visiting hundreds of kids who may not have a chance to otherwise meet their heroes. At first, the group would get a request once a month — a good excuse to work on a hobby and do good in the community. Now the group is meeting kids several days a week, even though they have day jobs. We wanted to give them a special thank you for all they do.
Nomination letter sent in by Julie Anderson:
Dustin founded Kid's Heroes Foundation. Below is a letter of explanation about the foundation and why I think Dustin deserves the High 5.
I just want to give a brief explanation of Kids Heroes Foundation. I've only been involved with them for a few months but have known the founder of the organization for about 20 years. Dustin Kasai, is the founder, and dresses as Tony Stark/Ironman for appearances made by the group. There are also members who dress as Captain America, Spiderman, Bat Girl, Wonder Woman, Master Chief from Halo, Storm from X-Men, Thor, and many other Super Heroes.
These people pay for their own costumes, which are frequently hot, uncomfortable, and sometimes even painful to wear. They take time out of their busy lives to drive to wherever they're needed to make children happy. They appear for any other children's organizations and all causes where children are in need or facing any type of distress. For causes like the MDA of Utah, Hope Kids, Primary Children's Hospital, The Road Home Shelter, Salt Lake County Youth Services, and Utah Foster Care to name a few. They are there to support other organizations that need help with their fundraisers, and most importantly, they are there to help kids in need and bring good cheer. Imagine that you are at a really low point in your life. You've been diagnosed with a terrible disease, or your family is living in a homeless shelter, or you're in foster care. You're a kid and you don't know why your life has taken this turn. You're scared, sad, and maybe feel like nothing will ever be ok again. Then unbelievably, people you've only seen on TV or in a movie come through the door and tell you that they've come to visit you, take pictures with you, and let you know that you are special.
That's what Kid's Heroes Foundation does for children. I've seen them interact with hundreds of children and each child gets special attention from these kind hearted super heroes. But the really special moments are when a child with a disability gets to meet them. I've seen kids who struggle with physical contact reach out and hug a super hero. One little guy could only give air hugs, but he was so excited to do that. Another, after having a picture taken with Spiderman and Ironman, turned and gave them each a hug, then insisted that he go down the whole line of hero's getting pictures and giving hugs to each. One little guy brought his grandmother back to the Heroes booth probably 10 times in one day, wanting to look at them over and over, but too shy to talk to them. Finally the last time he came to visit, his grandmother had bought him a toy at another booth. He proudly showed it to each of the Heroes, then beamed a smile of such happiness that he was finally able to interact with them.
All of the children are excited to see the Heroes, but kids with disabilities or loss, seem to connect to them on a different level, a much deeper level. And it works that way for the Heroes too. More than once I've seen tears wiped away by these caring members of the foundation. When they've been hugged by a child who is so happy to meet their hero, or when looking over a large group of homeless children who are so eager to meet them. To the kids, these are the real Ironman, Spiderman, etc. And they've come just to see them.
This isn't all Kid's Heroes Foundation is doing though. Through donations they help with medical bills for families in need. They recently rented a movie theater and paid for children in Foster care and their families to see a movie, complete with popcorn, candy, and a drink for each. Future goals include buying wheelchairs, helping kids who are in need of prosthetics, and paying more medical bills. This is a huge task they've taken on, but they are trying, and I believe succeeding, in making a difference in the lives of children and their families. When kids are in need the men & women of Kid's Heroes Foundation will be there, just like the Super Heroes they emulate.
