In today's society I believe that children are living the shortest childhood in American and international history. My dream has always been to inspire children to be all that they can be inspired to be.
In1986 a famous baseball player became even more famous when he signed a forty million dollar contract. I remember thinking, "What is the world coming to when we have teachers of our children who will unlikely see a million dollars in their lifetime?" I have not watched a single seasonal sporting event since then. I remember thinking at the time that every teacher's contract from that point on should contain in their contract what I choose to call the "free car clause." Couldn't you just picture a teacher exclaiming, "What, no free car clause! Well you will get just what you are paying for!"
In 1993, I wrote, edited, published and copyrighted a newsletter titled the Small Street Newsletter, which was to enlighten children views on investment collectibles such as coins, comic books, trading cards, stamps, etc. It was named the Small Street Newsletter because I figured that if Wall Street was big business then little business must be Small Street. I also published and copyrighted a book for kids titled the Consumer Protection Guide to Get Rich Quick Schemes, also known as How -to-be the Victim of a Get Rich Quick Scheme and Take It with A Smile!! It was comical but informative.
During the late 1990's while employed as a bicycle messenger I found myself thinking on many occasions, while crossing many of the bridges within downtown Chicago, "What would I do If somebody fell in?" Well it happened. In 1997 I jumped into the Chicago River to save an old women who appeared to have fallen off a bridge. Everybody said that I was a hero and I just replied, "That's a sandwich!" I declined a photo opportunity with the Mayor, and also a ceremony with the Governor honoring heroes because I didn't do it for the praise and the accolades, I did it because someone was in need of help.
My greatest dream is to start a not-for-profit organization called K.A.E.R.. It is the acronym for KIDS ARE EVERYONE' S RESPONSIBILITY. When I was in elementary school many years ago, I thought of this name as a result of not being able to participate on classroom field trips due to the fact that my grandmother was financially challenged. I quickly realized that all kids are not created equal.
The first week of June is National Take A Kid Fishing Week, which is something that I always make an effort to celebrate. In 1996 I sponsored my own fishing derby for 30 kids at Harper High and O'Toole Elementary. Many thanks to the good folks at Citizens News for their co-sponsorship, (south side of Chicago newspaper). It was fantastic! We had a small ceremony at the high school and the children were awarded tokens ranging from Susan B. Anthony's for all, savings bonds, and a beautifully framed Japanese Yen, German Mark, British Pound and a French Franc for the overall winner.
I feel that when the time comes and you stop looking for greatness in yourself then you can always look for it in a child. When we pass the torch our children must be groomed and prepared to receive it.
For myself everything has three meanings, Personal, Universal and Spiritual! I personally enjoy the reaction and joy of a child who realizes that someone truly cares and is willing to sacrifice time and money to give that child what they do not have, whether it be self-esteem or a meal. Universally we must stop waiting for someone else to do something to save our children and spiritually I am blessed to be in a postion to be physically, mentally and emotionally able to help others.
Please help my bicycle club raise money. I am just the messenger with a bike.
* Member of Chicago Bicycle Federation, Adventure Club, and Lance Armstrong's Bicycle League of America.
2nd Chicago Sun Times' Article: Real heroes are made in the blink of an eye, 5-14-1997. By Richard Roeper. Thank you!
Foundations of a dream.
A letter for the support and survival of a new generation.
K.A.E.R.
AL PODGORSKI / SUNTIMES
Bike messenger
Robert Huggins
jumped in to
assist a woman
floating in the
Chicago River
Monday. He re-
turned to work
after treatment
at Northwestern
Hospital
No cold feet in river rescue
______________________________
BY BRENDA WARNER ROTZELL
STAFF REPORTER
______________________________
Chicago had no shortage of cold water heroes
when a woman was pulled from the Chicago
River at the Dearborn Street bridge Monday.
Bicycle courier Robert Huggins, 42 heard a
splash saw a woman floating face down and
radioed his dispatcher at Chicago Messenger
Service to "call 911, or fire or anyone."
A bicycle brigade of nearby couriers pedaled
to the bridge on orders from dispatcher from Joe
Cunningham as Huggins raced down to the
walkway on the south side of the river, stripped
to his underwear and dove in. But his legs cramped,
and he had to struggle back to land, where he went back up to the bridge and couldn't break a lifesaver ring from it's cage.
Meanwhile, Engine 42 from the fire station at 55 W. Illinois roared up. Fire Capt. Richard Dory radioed twice to ask where the rescue unit was, didn't hear an answer and dove in himself.
"It was watch her float way or I don't know, so I just jumped in."
Dory said of the 53 year old woman. He got her to the walkway ladder, where rescuer in drysuits jumped in to lift her up. Dory said it was the first time in 21 years in the Fire Department, including a
stint on the rescue unit, that he had had to dive in.
The rescue unit took the woman, a North Lake Shore Drive
resident, to Northwestern Memorial Hospital where she was
reported in critical condition. Police believe hat the woman
jumped in an an attempt to kill herself. After treatment at
Northwestern, Huggins went back to work, ignoring his
Supervisor and a doctor's orders to go home and rest. Huggins
of the 8200 block of Eberhart, may have had a personal tragedy
in mind when he jumped in the river. He said his son Tracy,
13, drowned while swimming in Lake Michigan in 1986.
Contributing:Jim Casey
JOHN H. WHITE / SUNTIMES
Chicago Firefighters wheel away a 53 year old woman who
was pulled out of the Chicago River at Dearborn on Monday.
