HEALTHY HABITS
Not All Heroes Wear Capes ON CAMPUS For the past 35 years, a Lakeside-based window cleaning
“They love seeing the kids’ eyes light up. There’s something special about superheroes that the kids
service has been ensuring that the windows of San Diego sparkle and shine. Owners Cheryl and Dennis Dwyer, who donate their services to Rady Children’s, have also been bringing smiles to patients’ faces with their whimsical take on employee workwear. For one special weekend each year, kids in the Hospital may get a glimpse of a costumed superhero washing windows just outside their room. “We wanted to do something for kids,” says Cheryl. “We wanted to find a way to give back to the community, and we thought that this was a really good way since some of those kids are isolated. Kids just love dressing up.” The Dwyers had seen news coverage of similar happenings at other children’s hospitals around the country and decided to bring the trend to Rady Children’s eight years ago. Dennis and the couple’s son, Kolby, also get in on the apparel action, dressing up as Captain America and Superman, respectively. Other members of the crew over the years have taken on the persona of Spider-Man, the Hulk, Green Lantern, Thor, Batman, Iron Man and Mr. Incredible—and they never miss the chance to participate. “Our team is so excited about it,” Cheryl says.
relate to. It kind of gets their minds off of the situations they’re going through and it’s just really a special time.” The kids also get to learn some helpful on-the-job skills. The superheroes also come inside and interact with the kids, at times enlisting their “help” in cleaning windows. “There are kids who come running down the hall to grab a hold of our guys. They throw their arms around our guys’ legs and say, ‘Captain America, I was looking for you,’” recounts Cheryl. “And our guys are great too. They’ll even ask them like, ‘Hey, do you want to learn how to clean a window?’ And they’ll show them how to squeegee.” Cheryl says giving back is a big part of the the company’s DNA. The Dwyers have no plans on slowing down anytime soon. “We have always been more of a generous company,” she says. “You can take money and contribute it, which we do, but goes beyond that. The experiences that we get— you don’t get that when you just write a check. You get to truly be a part of those kids’ lives that day.”
THERE’S SOMETHING
SPECIAL ABOUT SUPERHEROES THAT THE KIDS RELATE TO. IT GETS THEIR MINDS OFF THE SITUATIONS THEY’RE GOING THROUGH.
12 HEALTHY KIDS MAGAZINE SPRING 2024
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