My Nonprofit Reviews

I have been a volunteer for the Hero Initiative for over ten years in Northern California. The fact is that Hero has helped many veteran comic book creators in need, from a bag of groceries and some money for rent and bills to help with major medical bills and helping creators with a new place to live after being found homeless. There's no doubt that this charity is VERY targeted. Donations are solicited mostly at comic book conventions and stores. I have never seen any reason NOT to support what the charity does.

I am a life-long comic book reader. I immediately saw the need to help the veterans of the comic book industry be able to retain their dignity when the industry failed them. The current popularity of superheroes in popular culture was built on their backs, with their sweat and tears, yet they saw none of the fruits of their labor after the work was done, even as it made Millions for comic book companies. Hero Initiative gives them a chance to retain the basics of living, help them through otherwise catastrophic illness, and in many cases get them back on the path to making a living, even if it isn't in the entertainment industry.

My volunteerism is mainly in the form of soliciting donations at comic book conventions. It can be a mighty challenge when surrounded by the bright colors and loud noises of a rollicking convention floor, with competition from every other book trying to get the convention-goers attention. When I am able to give the message about what Hero Initiative does and why it is needed, the look of understanding on the fans' faces makes it all worth it. They realize that we are in the "temple" of men and women who see none of the MILLIONS of dollars made off their backs, while some of them are in need.

I would urge those who are curious to go to Hero's website and see for themselves some of the creators Hero has helped. After reading the review from a public person who couldn't stomach that someone would want to stay at a nice hotel, or that the head of a charity would dare to make a relatively low salary for the work involved (which is more than 10 hours a week), or pay one part-time employee for their work, I had to chime in with my own experience. I have no reason to believe that Hero doesn't use their funds effectively. If I did, I wouldn't spend several of my weekends a year volunteering for them and I certainly wouldn't give them MY money, which I do.

Thank you for your time,

Jason Waters

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