CANOE -- CNEWS - Good News: Hometown Hero: Windsor's masked hero
WINDSOR - Donning a mask and a costume may not grant you super
powers, but for one Windsor man, it shows that you don't need super
strength or x-ray vision to do what's right.
Decked out in a full-face mask, a red and white outfit and a backpack filled with supplies, the Crimson Canuck patrols the streets of Windsor battling poverty by helping the homeless. Some superheroes carry crime fighting gadgets but the Canuck moves through the city with nothing more than his backpack filled with water bottles, snacks, and warm clothing. The masked hero makes it his mission to handout these supplies to those living in poverty on the streets of Windsor. He said he tries to carry whatever may be needed and has even had requests for items such as toothpaste and toothbrushes.
“If they need anything out of my bag, I just open it up and say 'I've got some hats, I've got some toques. Grab what you need and hopefully it helps you out,'” said the Crimson Canuck.“I've got whatever I've got in my bag and I'm willing to offer it to whoever needs it.”
The Canuck is part of an international group known as the Real Life Superheroes movement which is made up of hundreds of men and women in the US and Canada.
“We adopt the look and ethos of our comic book counterparts and we apply it in the real world,” he said. “We try and be as good as we can be, and be as helpful as we can be to our communities. And ultimately we just want to save the day, or at least somebody's day.”
The Crimson Canuck said he chose to reach out those who are living on the streets of Windsor because it is a situation where he almost found himself prior to turning down the path of a superhero.
“I got very close to that point of (living on the streets), and
once I got myself reestablished and got a job and started paying my
taxes again, I figured I may as well give back to those who were going
through exactly what I was,” he said.
The masked hero said when he isn't the Crimson Canuck, he is just an average man in his 20's, with a wife, two children and a nine to five day job. However, the Canuck said would not reveal his secret identity because his mask serves a purpose.
“Wearing the mask, I want to basically show that my identity and who I am isn't important, it's what I'm doing,” he said. “I could be anybody, therefore anybody can do this.”
He went on to say that you don't necessarily have to dress up like a superhero to good things for the people in your community. All it takes is the will to stand up and do what's right.
The Crimson Canuck said his hope is that his actions will inspire Windsorites to go the extra mile and help those in need.
“What I'm doing right now will hopefully awaken some of our younger citizens in Windsor to take action and be active in their communities,” he said. “Don't ask yourself what's going to happen if I stop and help this guy, ask yourself what's going to happen this guy if I don't stop and help him.”
And what does the future hold for Windsor's own superhero. The Canuck said it is his goal to form a group of heroes situated in Windsor who could tackle bigger issues that currently face those living in the city.
“We can help educate children on bullying, (we can) help kids read through comic books, as well as going out and supporting various charities in our communities,” he said. “I want to make myself as visible as possible to the community.”
If you'd like to support the Crimson Canuck's crusade to help the less fortunate, Rogues Gallery Comics is collecting snacks, water bottles, as well as warm clothing to be given out by Windsor's masked hero. Rogues Gallery Comics is located at 327 Chatham Street West in Windsor.
What better way to recognize your Hometown Hero than to tell us about them? We're always looking to feature members of the Windsor community who are doing their part to make this city great.
To tell us about an amazing volunteer you know, send an email to windsor.editorial@sunmedia.ca.
kirk.dickinson@sunmedia.ca
www.facebook.com/WindsorThisWeek.news
Twitter.com/WindsorThisWeek
 Crimson Canuck |
Decked out in a full-face mask, a red and white outfit and a backpack filled with supplies, the Crimson Canuck patrols the streets of Windsor battling poverty by helping the homeless. Some superheroes carry crime fighting gadgets but the Canuck moves through the city with nothing more than his backpack filled with water bottles, snacks, and warm clothing. The masked hero makes it his mission to handout these supplies to those living in poverty on the streets of Windsor. He said he tries to carry whatever may be needed and has even had requests for items such as toothpaste and toothbrushes.
“If they need anything out of my bag, I just open it up and say 'I've got some hats, I've got some toques. Grab what you need and hopefully it helps you out,'” said the Crimson Canuck.“I've got whatever I've got in my bag and I'm willing to offer it to whoever needs it.”
The Canuck is part of an international group known as the Real Life Superheroes movement which is made up of hundreds of men and women in the US and Canada.
“We adopt the look and ethos of our comic book counterparts and we apply it in the real world,” he said. “We try and be as good as we can be, and be as helpful as we can be to our communities. And ultimately we just want to save the day, or at least somebody's day.”
The Crimson Canuck said he chose to reach out those who are living on the streets of Windsor because it is a situation where he almost found himself prior to turning down the path of a superhero.
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The masked hero said when he isn't the Crimson Canuck, he is just an average man in his 20's, with a wife, two children and a nine to five day job. However, the Canuck said would not reveal his secret identity because his mask serves a purpose.
“Wearing the mask, I want to basically show that my identity and who I am isn't important, it's what I'm doing,” he said. “I could be anybody, therefore anybody can do this.”
He went on to say that you don't necessarily have to dress up like a superhero to good things for the people in your community. All it takes is the will to stand up and do what's right.
The Crimson Canuck said his hope is that his actions will inspire Windsorites to go the extra mile and help those in need.
“What I'm doing right now will hopefully awaken some of our younger citizens in Windsor to take action and be active in their communities,” he said. “Don't ask yourself what's going to happen if I stop and help this guy, ask yourself what's going to happen this guy if I don't stop and help him.”
And what does the future hold for Windsor's own superhero. The Canuck said it is his goal to form a group of heroes situated in Windsor who could tackle bigger issues that currently face those living in the city.
“We can help educate children on bullying, (we can) help kids read through comic books, as well as going out and supporting various charities in our communities,” he said. “I want to make myself as visible as possible to the community.”
If you'd like to support the Crimson Canuck's crusade to help the less fortunate, Rogues Gallery Comics is collecting snacks, water bottles, as well as warm clothing to be given out by Windsor's masked hero. Rogues Gallery Comics is located at 327 Chatham Street West in Windsor.
What better way to recognize your Hometown Hero than to tell us about them? We're always looking to feature members of the Windsor community who are doing their part to make this city great.
To tell us about an amazing volunteer you know, send an email to windsor.editorial@sunmedia.ca.
kirk.dickinson@sunmedia.ca
www.facebook.com/WindsorThisWeek.news
Twitter.com/WindsorThisWeek
