CAREY’S CORNER {carey peña reports}
CALLING ALL SUPERHEROES The Colten Cowell Foundation offers compassion and fun to families facing life challenges Carey Peña | Contributing Writer
The night I went to visit the Crime Fighting Cave in Phoenix, I had no idea what to expect. My friend Bruce St. James, formerly a host on KTAR, had been telling me about it for some time, and I promised I would check it out. One of my mottoes in life is if you say you are going to show up, you show up. So, off I went. I drove up to a nondescript warehouse complex, wondering if I was in the right place. Then I spotted a group of children waiting out front. Not long after that, the show would begin. A parade of cars pulled up, including a black limo. Inside was a family whose son has Down Syndrome. He was the star superhero of the day, nominated by the charity Sharing Down Syndrome. “There’s a script, there’s a set, and basically the idea is that various children’s charities nominate kids with significant life challenges,” St. James explained. “The kids come, and for one night, they are the star of the show.” He has been volunteering for about five years and lending his considerable talent as a host. When the kids walk into the front room, St. James sets
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the stage. From there, they weave through the Batman-inspired Cave with surprises, gadgets, cool cars, a helicopter, memorabilia and lots of fun along the way.
WHO IS BRUCE WAYNE? Much like the alter ego of Batman, the man behind this incredible effort is a wealthy American industrialist. Charles Keller is a businessman, philanthropist and classic car collector. After purchasing a Batmobile on Craigslist in 2009, he found himself inspired to share. Keller met 3-year-old Colten Cowell, who was fighting a fatal form of cancer. In the final weeks of Colten’s life, Keller made sure he was able to take a ride in the Batmobile. From there, the Colten Cowell Foundation was born. It aims to change people’s perspective on giving. “I feel like we are making a difference,” Keller said. “We are in a very trying time right now. What all of us are experiencing — not being
