By Patrick Baron
BLOOMINGTON – A mask, some spandex, and a cape aren’t the only things that make a superhero – it’s the person underneath who is the hero, and a Bloomington man who dresses up as popular characters is living up to that title.
Since June, Matthew Welker has been going to various children’s hospitals in central Illinois dressed as superheroes like Captain America and Spider-Man. He says interacting with the kids and seeing them smile is the greatest feeling in the world.
“A lot of times there are kids going through treatment so all you can do is just pop up in their window and smile at them as their getting shots. They’re going through that painful thing and they look at you and it just goes away,” Welker explained. “That’s the whole point of this – the more I can see, the better. A lot of these kids I’ve seen multiple times and I’m invested in their stories.”
Welker currently has three costumes he alternates stepping into, which includes Captain America, Spider-Man and PAW Patrol. He explained establishing relationships with the children and their families is an incredibly rewarding experience.
“The families, it means so much to them too, they send me these private messages and there’s just nothing like it,” said Welker. “It’s just doing it for the kids and getting them to smile.”
More information can be found on Welker’s Facebook page, “Characters for Kids,” which also has his GoFundMe information.
Patrick Baron can be reached at [email protected].
