Valarie Vorpagel

This author Valarie Vorpagel has created 16 entries.

27Jan

An Amazing Time Had at Second Annual Auburndale CityCon

The second Annual Auburndale City Con took place Friday afternoon and all day Saturday January 21st & 22nd in downtown Auburndale at the Civic Center and outlying area. CityCon_2016_2On Friday afternoon three of our Guardians members were panelists for “Cosplay for Conventions” along with “Elsa of Auburndale” and the founders of “Cospital”. This panel covered starting out in cosplay, upcoming costumes each panelist had planned and a quick overview of convention etiquette for cosplayers and the general public. After the panel our booth was assembled with some assistance from assassin Black Widow and coloring pages set out as the team prepared for the main convention day.

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21Jan

Bringing Smiles to BrightStart Pediatrics on a Rainy Day

The weather was stormy and the wind howling as an unlikely alliance formed among characters from Guardians of Justice as they visited the children at BrightStart Pediatrics Friday, January 15th.  BrghtStart_January_2016_13Many of the children wore their superhero best –which really tickled Spiderman and Batman (even though he wouldn’t admit it, he smiled!) as 9 characters and an assistant roamed room-to-room, meeting and playing with the children under BrightStart’s care.

Kylo Ren was happily following his Grandfather, Darth Vader, as they showed their young apprentices how to use the force –with a Jedi on hand to keep a close eye on things in case the force use turned too far to the dark side.

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28Oct

Step Up for Down Syndrome Orlando 2015

On Saturday, October 24th members of Guardians of Justice joined scores of volunteers and participants (and a few other costumed characters!) for the Down Syndrome Association of Central Florida’s annual walk Step Up for Down Syndrome Orlando. BuddyWalk_2015_14According to the DSACF Orlando is host to one of the largest walks in the nation and Saturday’s Step-Up for Down Syndrome event was no exception. Even before the day of the walk their top five teams had already raised over $30,000.00!

The Step Up for Down Syndrome celebrates October as National Down Syndrome Awareness Month,

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31Aug

Bringing Smiles to the Children of Walt Disney Pavilion

On Monday August 24th nine members of the Guardians had the privilege and honor of visiting Staff and Patients alike at the Florida Hospital South’s Walt Disney Pavilion. Batman, Robin, Captain Jack Sparrow, Star-Lord, Wolverine, The Tooth Fairy, Giselle, Snow White, and Rogue split into teams and walked the various floors stopping to say hello and bring a smile to everyone they met.

The day was especially exciting since it was the Guardians of Justice’s first official hospital visit and a good reminder of why each and every member volunteers to do what they do. We volunteer to inspire,

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24Jul

A Fun Saturday with Orlando Outreachers at Harbor House

The weather was warm, the sun was shining and five unlikely heroes met up with volunteers from Orlando Outreachers for a Summer sports day held exclusively for local at-risk children and teens last Saturday, July 18th.

We had two amazing bounce houses, a dunk tank and multiple carnival-style arcade games. Face painting and balloon twisting was a hit. Soon Hulks, Ironmen and various Faries and Kitty Cats ran around with balloon swords, hats, and animals. A few of the children challenged Rogue, Cyclops, and Green Arrow to duels while our Portal Lab worker and test victim –er, we mean subject,

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27Apr

A Community Comes Together for Autism Family Fun Day

The humidity was so thick it could be cut with a knife but a brave few heroes came out despite the heat on Saturday April 25th, 2015 for the first annual Autism Family Fun day. Hawkeye, Black-Widow, Dr. Strange, Punisher, Green Arrow, Batman & Zatanna were joined by the Makaze Squad –Florida Garrison to bring smiles to the faces of all in attendance.

AutismFamilyFunDay_2015_2We met Firefighters from the City of Clermont’s Engine 101 and Poppie the miniature therapy horse from “Miniature Horses offer real expression”; Poppie liked rubbing her nose against Hawkeye, Black-Widow, and Zatanna between bites of grass.

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